Posted on May 9, 2013 - by

Antebellum Turf Times is Featured in The New York Times Horse Racing Blog, “The Rail”

Sporting Epistle

Dear Readers:
We are pleased to announce that the Times has been featured this week in “The Rail,” The New York Times Horse Racing Blog! Read more here: “The Rail.”

Enjoy!
Editor, Antebellum Turf Times

 

Posted on April 28, 2013 - by

The First Kentucky Derby—Unhorsed by The Louisville Cup?

Racing Extras and Embellishments

Dear Readers: Since the following post is outside the realm of antebellum racing, we are making an exception in order to honor the current Triple Crown season with coverage of the first Derby.—Editor, Antebellum Turf Times

 

It may have been the first Kentucky Derby, but it wasn’t the star attraction of the Louisville Jockey Club’s six-day inaugural spring meeting in 1875.

Yes, opening day on Monday, May 17, 1875, drew more than 12,000 attendees to the new track that would later become known as Churchill Downs in the early 1880’s; four races were on the day’s card, highlighted by the second contest for three-year-olds, the Kentucky Derby.

And Derby winner Aristides broke a speed record for three-year-olds, finishing the 1½ mile race in a time of 2:37¾ against 14 other starters.

Yet it was day four of the race meeting and the Louisville Cup, a “dash” at 2¼ miles, that attracted an estimated 15,000–20,000 fans to the course, known then as Driving Park. “Not only the citizens, but the entire State seems to have turned out in force,” the Daily Graphic reported. Ballankiel beat a field of seven other horses, winning the Cup easily.

The time of 4:01½ was considered so exceptional that the length of the track was questioned, but an engineer provided its measurement at seventeen inches over a mile, presenting a certificate verifying such to the judges’ stand.

When the Cup itself—valued at $1,000—was awarded to owner Mr. Jennings, the crowd cheered, “Let the horse drink out of it!”

This was accordingly done, Ballankeel [sic] putting his nose against the gold lining, wetting his lips, and then gallantly raising his head to acknowledge the applause of the multitude.—Daily Graphic

As the Kentucky Derby was modeled after England’s Epsom Derby, the Louisville Jockey Club’s Kentucky Oaks was likewise a replication of the Epsom Oaks. Contested at 1½ miles on Wednesday (day three) by six three-year-old fillies, the first Kentucky Oaks was won by Vinaigrette, who was erroneously listed as being a five-year-old in the New York Herald-Tribune’s race summary! Time, 2:39¾.

The Jockey Club designed one more race with another English stakes in mind, the St. Leger; this was the Clark Stake (today’s Clark Handicap), a two-miler for three-year-olds that was held on closing day, Saturday, with Voltigeur prevailing in a time of 3:50¼ over 11 other starters.

Racing was alive again in Louisville, for the launch of the new race course and the inaugural Louisville Jockey Club meeting were collectively a spectacular success. “The grand stand is a beautiful amphitheatre with slender iron columns and a beauty of finish that is superior even to the ladies’ stand at Saratoga. No track has such new and perfectly planned stables,” remarked the Daily Graphic.

“The entire race can be witnessed from the grand stand without rising from the seat; nevertheless yesterday (Derby Day) 3,500 people rose simultaneously with the start of the horses, and remained standing until the race was over.”

And the fans have remained standing. We are still compelled to stand today, 138 years later, to witness this sport, from its magnificent triumphs to its most devastating defeats—forgoing our seats as thousands did on opening day at this Louisville track that was once known as Driving Park.

 

Show Resources

“The Turf. Louisville Jockey Club Races.” New Orleans Times-Picayune, May 18 & 21, 1875.

“Racing in Kentucky. Louisville and its Race Course—A Visit to the Races—A Brilliant Scene.” New York Daily Graphic, May 22, 1875.

“Racing in the South. The Spring Meeting of the Louisville Jockey Club—Sights and Scenes of the Stretch and Grand Stand as Viewed by a Northern Woman.” Daily Graphic, May 25, 1875.

“Louisville Races.” New York Herald-Tribune, May 20 & 23, 1875.

Information pertaining to England’s three premier races found at http://www.churchilldowns.com/about/history.

Posted on January 4, 2013 - by

Antebellum Turf Times contributes to New Orleans Historical

Sporting Epistle

Dear Readers:

Best wishes for a prosperous 2013 to all! During late 2012, your Editor was invited to contribute two stories about the historic Eclipse Course (with related images) to the New Orleans Historical web and mobile platform, a project of the University of New Orleans and Tulane University. Please visit the site’s home page here to download the app!

Here’s the direct links to our two stories:

Eclipse Course, Carrollton

[Many thanks to our avid reader, Joe Depaolo, for noting the proximity of the 19th century Eclipse Course to the local Starbucks]

Eclipse Course, Carrollton: Pioneer of Thoroughbred Racing—on Sundays

Enjoy!

Editor, Antebellum Turf Times

Posted on October 26, 2012 - by

The first race ever to stop a nation? The Great Match Race between the North & South

Sporting Epistle

Dear Readers:

It has been far too long between Turf Times publications, and although there are many, we will spare you the excuses (for it’s actually one of our mottos): Never make excuses, which comes second only to History is written by the victors. We have not stopped our research about America’s first national pastime, for there is enough to fill a book, and that’s what we’ve been embroiled in—the writing of a book. While Turf Times postings won’t be weekly as they once were, please check back regularly for future articles.

So without further excuses, and in honor of next week’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, we’re going to revisit one from the Turf Times vault—a riveting tale in four parts, the story of the 1823 Great Match Race between the North and South.

This regional match-up was so highly anticipated by the American people that it drew an estimated 60,000 fans (20,000 of whom traveled from the South) to Long Island’s Union Course. Imagine this scene of nearly two centuries ago at the Union—“Booths erecting, Flags Flying, Pigs roasting, Fiddlers tuning, and all dust and confusion”—as the masses gathered to witness the race, this 19th century crowd rivaling the attendance numbers of one Breeders’ Cup day!

And now we present—The Great Match Race between the North and South. Click here for Part I., and you will find the link to each subsequent part in the series at the end of each article.

Sincerely,

Editor, Antebellum Turf Times

 

Posted on February 24, 2012 - by

Rules of the Adams County Jockey Club Unearthed!

Racing Extras and Embellishments

Dear Readers:

The Times is pleased the share from the Constitution of the Adams County, Mississippi, Jockey Club (1845) the following selections on rules governing the antebellum turf.

Our racing correspondent discovered this preserved document among the possessions of Natchez turfman William J. Minor, whose papers are currently archived in the Special Collections at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge; both Minor and Colonel Adam L. Bingaman were members of this club [read more about the horses of Minor (Pt. III.) and Bingaman (Parts I.–V.) in the Times' New Orleans Jockey Club 1837 Spring Meeting series].

The excerpts included here are rules on foul riding and “poling.” While the club’s rules were stringent with respect to foul riding, it’s interesting to see some leniency with regard to “poling”—this during a time in racing that predated the railed track.

(more…)

The Second Great Match Race Between the North and South: Post Boy V. John Bascombe
by on January 20, 2012
On a Race Ground: The Noise of Their Hoofs Increases; the Breathless Moment of Suspense is at Hand!
by on January 6, 2012
Antebellum Turf Times Returns in 2012!
by on December 2, 2011
The Great Match Race, Part IV. — The Aftermath
by on November 11, 2011
The Great Match Race, Part III. — See, the Conqu’ring Hero Comes!
by on November 4, 2011
The Great Match Race, Part II. — Which Hero of Napoleon’s Southern Army Will Face Eclipse?
by on October 28, 2011
The Great Match Race — Part I., Napoleon Challenges the North
by on October 21, 2011
Song to the Silver Tea Service of the Louisiana Jockey Club [Part V. - 1837 Races]
by on October 7, 2011
No Rest for the Weary: Day Five’s One-Miler Tests the Mettle of Three Returning Racers [Part IV. - 1837 Races]
by on September 23, 2011
Ode to a Swift Nag: Day Four, New Orleans Jockey Club 1837 Spring Races [Part III. - 1837 Races]
by on September 9, 2011
Going to the Races? Good Luck Finding a Seat on the New Orleans and Carrollton Railroad
by on August 26, 2011
Captain Oliver’s Triumph: Opening Day at the Eclipse Course, March 17, 1837 [Part I. - 1837 Races]
by on August 26, 2011
A Toast to Bumper, the Best Winded, the Fleetest Horse of All [Part II. - 1837 Races]
by on August 12, 2011
The Second Coming: The Times Returns in 2012 (again)!
by on April 20, 2012
Meditation on a Pumpkin.
by on November 24, 2011
« Older Entries
From the Archives -- American Turf Register

How to Catch a Wild Turkey, Circa 1831

In preparation for next week’s Thanksgiving holiday, the Turf Times shares the following informative article on obtaining the family dinner — selected from the archives of the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine.   Wild Turkey. But the most common method of procuring wild turkeys, is by means of pens.  These are placed in parts [...]

From the Archives -- American Turf Register

Rules for Laying Out a Race Course

Coverage of closing day for the 1837 New Orleans Jockey Club Spring Races concludes next week!  For this week’s issue, the Times shares the following resource for track building, circa 1833: Rules for Laying Out a Race Course. Through the middle of the intended course, lengthwise, indicate the dotted line a b, and place on [...]

From the Archives -- American Turf Register

General Kosciuszko’s Horse — As Noble as the Man Himself

Dear Readers of the Turf Times:  Our correspondent’s coverage of the New Orleans Jockey Club’s 1837 Inaugural Spring Races will resume in next week’s issue!  In the meantime, here’s a brief tale of true chivalry, culled from the archives of the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine. General Kosciuszko’s Horse The celebrated Polish general, Kosciuszko, [...]

From the Archives -- American Turf Register

On the Treatment of the Race Horse, Immediately Preceding and on the Day of the Race

Mr. Editor:                                                                                                                                Natchez, Nov. 22, 1830 I have seen with pleasure, and I [...]

From the Archives -- American Turf Register

“Could Nature More Clearly Sanction the Sports of the Turf?”

From an 1831 issue of the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine, here’s an amusing anecdote about a pair of highly trained thoroughbreds, who ran their race without having to be asked – just like the plucky Virginia colt who crossed the finish line first in “A Toast to Bumper, the Best Winded, the Fleetest [...]

Poetry of the Turf

The Second Great Match Race Between the North and South: Post Boy V. John Bascombe

While the Times’ loyal correspondent was combing the archives in the search for more tales of the turf, the following untitled poem was unearthed—which recounts the Second Great Match Race between the North and South, held over the Union Course on Long Island in 1836 [please see Part IV.—the Aftermath from the Great Match Race [...]

Poetry of the Turf

Stanzas By a Sporting Bachelor

The ideas expressed by the following poem in its entirety may or may not reflect the opinions of the Antebellum Turf Times – ATT Editor]   Stanzas by a Sporting Bachelor – author unknown Love is just like a race-ground – it is, by my soul, Where losses or gains may betide us; We men are [...]

Poetry of the Turf

A Race

Strike aloud the signal drum, to call Each well trained racer from his stall; Drive back the anxious crowd from where Rider and steed would both prepare, For warm contention in the race;

Sporting Epistle

Antebellum Turf Times is Featured in The New York Times Horse Racing Blog, “The Rail”

Dear Readers: We are pleased to announce that the Times has been featured this week in “The Rail,” The New York Times Horse Racing Blog! Read more here: “The Rail.” Enjoy! Editor, Antebellum Turf Times  

Sporting Epistle

Antebellum Turf Times contributes to New Orleans Historical

Dear Readers: Best wishes for a prosperous 2013 to all! During late 2012, your Editor was invited to contribute two stories about the historic Eclipse Course (with related images) to the New Orleans Historical web and mobile platform, a project of the University of New Orleans and Tulane University. Please visit the site’s home page [...]

Sporting Epistle

The first race ever to stop a nation? The Great Match Race between the North & South

Dear Readers: It has been far too long between Turf Times publications, and although there are many, we will spare you the excuses (for it’s actually one of our mottos): Never make excuses, which comes second only to History is written by the victors. We have not stopped our research about America’s first national pastime, [...]

Sporting Epistle

The Second Coming: The Times Returns in 2012 (again)!

Dear Readers: Contrary to popular belief, the Antebellum Turf Times has not prematurely ended its coverage of America’s first national pastime, for our long absence between publications has been due to the recent relocation of the Times’ offices. Your Editor, as well as the Times’ loyal racing correspondent, had dedicated weeks to the painstaking task [...]

Sporting Epistle

Antebellum Turf Times Returns in 2012!

Dear Readers, Our faithful correspondent, whose staunch reporting has enabled us to bring you coverage of historic racing in New Orleans and on Long Island, has single-handedly brought new meaning to the concept of participatory sportswriting; having recently endured a series of misadventures and the wrath of the “feathered tribe” while employing a wild turkey [...]

Turf Pedigree Vault

Memoir of Sir Archy/Archie, the Godolphin Arabian of America

This week kicks off the Times’ Turf Pedigree section — from the vault we have selected the following piece on the renowned stallion from the American Turf Register and Sporting Magazine’s December 1829 issue. Memoir of Sir Archy. — This justly celebrated horse was foaled in the spring of 1805, on James River, in Virginia, [...]

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