The Jefferson Jockey Club Races

THE JEFFERSON JOCKEY CLUB RACES.

The weather having been fine, and the course in good order, great gratification was experienced by the lovers of good racing. There never had appeared on the turf, in this region, such a collection of animals of superior blood and action; and several of the contests, both as to time and intercost, would have done honor to any field.

On the first day, it was generally admitted that Mr. Strider’s fine horse Tyrant would have no competitor who could put him to work in earnest; but Messrs. Snodgrass and Harbaugh, recollecting the old adage, “Nothing venture, nothing have,” and remembering that in racing as in every thing wise, uncertainty always hangs over untired events, very properly determined that there should be a race, and that no Tryrant should walk over our fair fields without opposition. They accordingly put in Velocity and Major Jack Downing to keep him busy for a season. Velocity lead off the first heat, Tyrant close at her heels, and Jack Downing leisurely bringing up the rear. Thus they raversed the ground for three miles, when Tyrant, in the fourth, despite of his rider, passed ahead under a stiff pull, and took the heat, while Jack Downing brushed up to remind him that he was ready for another contest. The race was a pretty one, though it was generally acknowledged that Tyrant was not put to his metal. It will be remembered that on the Central Court, Baltimore, he was only second in two heats with the celebrated mare Trifle-– now the undisputed mistress of the turf. In the second heat, Velocity was withdrawn, and Tyrant and Jack Downing coursed round very handsomely for three miles, the Major ahead, when Tyrant again assumed his proper pace, and took the heat with ease.

The following is the official result.
Purse $300– four miles and repeat.

Mr. Samuel Strider’s eh. a. c. Tyrant, by Gohannna, dam by Tom Tough, 1-1
Mr. Leonard Harbaugh’s s. c. Major Jack Downing, by Rattler, dam by Oscar, 2-2
Mr. J. B. Snodgrass’s a. f. Velocity, by Sir Charles, dam by Bell’s Eagle, 3-dr.
All four years old.

Time– 1st heat, 8m. 28s. –2d heat, 8m. 10s.

Second Day, purse $200– three miles and repeat.
For this purse, there were five entries, and a beautiful race. The experienced ones spoke of Reform, Floravel, and Washington, as most likely to prove victorious; and we scarcely heard a word of the gentle Emilie or modest but Deceitful Mary, and we do not know that bets were had upon either of them, except at odds. But a little time soon proved the fallsey of all calculations,– Emilie, in the first heat, took the lead and kept it in handsome style, and whole three rounds, under a strong pull; Washington, a fine animal who had taken many purses, being second, and giving evidence that nage running with him must “keep moving.” Deceitful Mary was third, shewing herself worthy of a contest with coursers of established reputation; while Floravel and Reform brought up the rear, neither of them expecting, on that occasion, to do more than “drive all before them.” Emilie was now the favorite of the field, amongst all who did not rely upon bottom. She had shewn that she had light heels, and had just made a race in time that none needed be ashamed of (5m 50s). Washington was drawn, and for the second heat, only four started– Emilie, again taking the lead, followed close by Deceitful Mary.– Reform and Floravel keeping up very respectfully. This was also a beautiful race, and was won by Emilie in 5m 40s– raising the reputation of the winner to a high degree, and inducing many to hail her as the champion of the field, not even excepting Tyrant. The following is the result:

Major A. J. Donelson’s s. f. Emilie, 4 years old, by Rattler, dam by Sir Hal, (entered by Mr. Hammond,) 1-1
Mr. Samuel Strider’s s. h. Washington, aged; by Rattler, dam unknown, 2-dr
Mr. J. B. Snodgrass’s s. m. Deceitful Mary, 7 yrs. old, by Tammany, dam by Eagle, 3-2
Dr. Wm. Yates’ s.g. Floravel, by Tuckahoe, aged, dam unknown. 4-4
Mr. Leonard Harbaugh’s br. h. Reform, 5 years old, by Marylander, dam by Richmond, 5-3.

Time– 1st heat, 5m. 50s.–2d heat, 5m. 45s.

Third Day, a purse of $150, mile heats– best three in five.

For this race there were six entries, but Mr. Snodgrass’ mare Velocity proving lame, was not ran. Never, on any occasion, were the “knowing [?]es” so completely deceived in their anticipations. Mr. Flood’s beautiful little mare, Betsy Nelson, was a great favorite, and enlisted largely the bets and good wishes of the crowd, while the veteran Washington had his backers to a great extent. Tremendous and Pizarro (high sounding names) had their admirers too, but scarcely any body ventured to say a word for Traffic, except when five to one were offered against him. No [?] merchandise, however, he proved himself in the end– and those who trafficked odds against him, found, after he took the second heat, that his fame was not a thing of light value, and that those who disparaged him knew but little of his [?]mate energies.

In the first heat, the horses made a very good start, Washington ahead, followed close and tied occasionally by Betsy Nelson, while the other horses seemed to give up the combat to these two. Washington took the heat, which was run in very good time.

In the second heat, Washington lay back, and Traffic and Betsy Nelson contended for the victory, which was taken by Traffic, the little mare still determined to put the winner in such ease to his heat.

The third heat was also a handsome one. Pizarro being drawn, the remaining four set out, and Washington came in ahead, pressed by Betsy Nelson, who made her last effort to take the place which the sympathies of hundreds would have given her. According to the regulations of the club, Betsy Nelson and Tremendous were ruled out, and the game was left entirely and unexpectedly to Traffic and Washington, the former, having taken one heat, and the latter two.– Odds were still offered against Traffic, though not so freely, and he took the two next heats in a style which evinced that his vigor had diminished but little. He had been in wretched order a few weeks before the race, and his owner (who informs us that he carried four pounds extra weight) did not himself expect him to make such a race. This has proved him to be of good material, and worthy of his distinguished sire.

Betsy Nelson still maintains the good opinion of her friends. Though run against the three successive beats, by different horses, she exhibited in each case a gallant bearing, and her owner is willing to try her in a match with either of her competitors, confident that she has not yet done her best.

The following is the result:
Mr. Samuel Strider’s a. h. Washington, aged, by Rattler, dam unknown. 1-5-1-2-2
Mr. W. P. Flood, jr.’s b. f. Betsey Nelson, 4 years old, by Sir Charles, dam, a Bonaparte mare, 2-2-2-*
Mr. Taylor’s ch. c. Pizarro, 4 yrs old, by Monsieur Tonson, dam by Shylock, (entered by Mr. Davenport,) 3-4-dr.
Mr. W. Crow, jr.’s b. h. Tremendous, 4 years old, by Marylander, dam by Tuckahoe, 4-3-3-*
Mr. John M. Coyle’s gr. h. Traffic, six years old, by Sir Charles, dam, Sally Brown, 5-1-4-1-1

Time– 1st heat, 1m. 51s.– 2d heat, 1m. 53s.– 3d heat, 1m 53s. –4th heat, 1m. 55s. –5th heat, 1m. 59s.
* Ruled Out

Upon the whole, the sport far exceeded public expectation. The extraordinary good order preserved on the field, sustained the previous assertions of the Club, that every thing should be well managed. No gambling was allowed, and perhaps there never was instance of so little dissipation.

On the first two days, several carriages with ladies graced the scene, and nothing occurred during the week, to occasion regret or disappointment.

The Battletown races commenced yesterday, by a contest for $100, mile heats, three best in five. The purse was taken by Tyrant, beating Mr. Flood’s Betsy Nelson two heats. Mr. F. deserves credit for entering his mare in a contest which was known to be unequal on so heavy a course– all other competitors having be abashed by Tyrant– a horse of acknowledged power and speed.– The race, though not fast, was a very pretty one; about two minutes each heat.