142 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



REPORT OF RACES. 



By Jos. Cairn Simpson. 



FIRST DAY. 



The opening day of the Fair of the State Agricultural Society was 

 very successful in every point of view. There was a larger attend- 

 ance than ever before on a first day, and the show of stock is certainly 

 superior to that of former years. The new track receives encomiums 

 from all; drivers grow enthusiastic when speaking of it, and the spec- 

 tators are satisfied with seeing faster time than could have been made 

 on the old track by the same classes of horses. The arrangements 

 of the grounds are far superior to what they were before the late 

 improvements were made, and everything is compact. The cattle 

 stalls surround the first turn, but the space being inadequate, others 

 had to be built on the west side of the homestretch. The amphithe- 

 ater for the show of stock is near the entrance gate, while before it 

 was on the other side of the course. The forenoon was taken up with 

 making entries, and the exhibition stock were still coming. For the 

 afternoon three races were on the bill. The first race was the Occi- 

 dent stake for trotting, three-year olds, the nominations to which are 

 made the first of January of each year when the colts are two years 

 old. The stake is $100 each, $25 to be paid when the nominations are 

 made, $25 on the first of January following, and $50 thirty days pre- 

 ceding the day fixed for trotting. The Association add a gold cup of 

 the value of $400, and as there were thirty nominations, ten of which 

 made the second payment and three the third, the money value was 

 $1,175 besides the cup. The race was heats of a mile, best two in 

 three, in harness. The starters were Antevolo, Griselda, and Robert 

 Lee. The placing was in the order their names are written. In the 

 pools Antevolo was so much the favorite that little was done in that 

 line. He won the race so easily that little description is necessary, 

 excepting what the summary will furnish. He trotted the last half 

 of the first heat in 1:131. 



SUMMARY. 



State Agricultural Society, Sacramento, September 11, 1884. — Occident stake, for three- 

 year olds J mile heats. 



Antevolo, br. c, by Electioneer, dam Columbine, by A. W. Richmond — Jos. Cairn Simpson. 1 1 



Robert Lee, ch. c, by Nutwood — Rancho del Paso 2 2 



Griselda, g. f., by A. W. Richmond — L. D. Todhunter dis. 



Time— 2:29i ; 2:3H. 



The second race was for the 2:25 class for pacers for a purse of $1,000, 

 the starters being Maud B, Shaker, Ackerman, and Prince. The 

 night before, and on the grounds previous to the race, Maud B was 

 the favorite. Shaker pressing her close for the position, and quite a 

 large amount of money was risked. The first heat upset the calcula- 

 tions of the knowing ones. Shaker taking the lead at the first furlong 

 and never surrendering it, though Prince was lapped on him when 



