328 The American Tborougbbred 



to the dark cloud which overhung the future. 

 The people were sick of war and the wrangles 

 growing out of it, and they turned to the turf 

 with eagerness. It was the only practical means 

 of reunion at the time. Men who, a few months 

 before, had faced each other on the battle-field, 

 stood side by side on the race-course, enthusiasti- 

 cally applauding the silken-coated thoroughbreds. 

 Where the horses ran, there the men from the 

 South and the men from the North met to 

 exchange cordial greetings. 



The rivalry between Asteroid, Kentucky, and 

 Norfolk added fuel to the flame, and the racing 

 fever grew hotter day after day. The fever 

 spread, and the glory of the turf was revived in 

 the North. Men of capital came to the support 

 of racing, and the management of the parks was 

 made above reproach. Fashion smiled upon 

 each enterprise, and the shame of the past — 

 the disgrace which attended the decline of the 

 Long Island race-courses — was forgotten. At 

 Paterson, at Secaucus, and at Saratoga, crowds 

 assembled to witness the speed contests; and 

 when Jerome Park was constructed and the 

 gates thrown open to the public, Fashion erected 

 her throne on the club-house balcony, and from 



