Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-30
TWO GOOD RACES YESTERDAY.
The Spring Trotting Meeting at the Ex'
position Opens with Good Time.

III one could have taken peep from the
top of the Exposition building yesterday
evening at the race-track portion of the GROUNDS,
no would have supposed, from the enthusiasm
Of the crowd, that the great race between ~.
julien and Jay.Eye-Sce vas being run
over again and for double the amount OF the
original purse. While the time was not so last
or the amount at stake 20 large, the confess m
the 2:5O class about as close in the last heat
as was ever seen on any track.
This was the first spring meeting held Dy tne
breeders Of Virginia, and while rather early IN
the season for fast time has demonstrated thai
tho psople love the light harness horse and VIII
turn out in good numbers when they are sats-
fed that the best horse win win and that the
race has not "been fxedp before the start.
This Is one Of the very best hal-mile tracks IN
the South. The mammoth grand-stand and other
appointments pertaining 20 the modern metro
politan driying-park are in splendid condition.
A sort OF Z" dry rot" has been at work Tor year.,
and Virginia has almost lost her prestige as
racing centre, but the Horse-Breeders' Associa-
tion, which is composed Of some OF the best peo-
pie, and other active boomers OF our city nave
made determined effort 10 revive the sport.
The spirit Of racing is not dead In our od
State-it simply slumbers.
The entries would have been larger had the
breeders advertised more extensively. Inc
whole thing was arranged on very snort noeice
and reflects credit on tho energy OF those IN
charge.
POoL-BUYBRs PUZZLED.
The $50 race was the opening event and the
owners of ell the horses felt sure OF winning
piece OF the money. As these horses had never
crossed swords before tho average pool-buyer
seemed puzzled. OF the -four starters Margaret
entered by the Acca Stock Farm, was tne only
one outclnssed. Lena, King William, ana raj
metto were evenly matched and gave quite an
exciting exhibition. -, l.,
In the first heat the scoring was prolonged IN
order 10 give them an even send-oh On the nith
trial they got the word TO rather straggling
start. King William held the lead TO the three
quarter pole. Here he "went into the air ana
dropped back 20 third place. Lena forged 70 the
front and finished first In 2:4b.
In the second heat Lena led from start 20 nnlsh
and won the heat in 2.A7. Palmetto ana MAT
garet amused themselves and the croWu py Sc
ries OF breaks.
third heat when sho suddenly decided TO " put on
wings,r and before she could be settled Ming
William waltzed" into her place and beat her
home In 2:47.
CLOSE HEAT.
King William won tho fourth heat quite handily
I'm 2:46A The fifth and deciding heat was per-
haps the closest ever trottcd over ths rack
The King headed the party untu the quhI,teSI-
pole was reached. Here Lena went past nun ,
and took the pole. Hemade break and dropped
back three or four lengths, though Whon nc gov
straight he struck a lively clip and gradnally
closed the gap between him and Lena. Whon
they swung into the stretch coming nome tley
were neck and neck" and not until the last low
feet Of the mile we're trotted did King push nus
nose in front Of Lena's and land the heat ana
race. Time, 2:45.
THE 2:37 CLASS.
The second race was for the 2.37 class. There
were three entries, though only two started,
Medina, owned by the Acca Stock Farm, having
been Withdrawn. Yorker, owned Dy Dr' ot;
John, Of Roanoke, Va, and Acca, bred ana
owned by the Acca Stock Farm, we're the
starters. Yorker won in throo straight heats
| His pure frictioness gait carries him with 40
much speed and case that it ~ calculated 70
broak the heat Of O horse that lhbors as much as
Accn. -
Tho races to-day will be two-year-oli and tho
| 3.27 class In the former Leonard enters BABY
| Mine, L. NJ. Hewett enters Myrtle, and the Acca
| stock Farm Zilla b. ROanoke Maid, Miss Thoinp-
pon. and 1'oodles Jr., will start In the 2:1 class
| This race will be the cream OF the meeting and
| should draw a very large crowd. Roanoke Maid
| covered herself with glory at Baltimore, Nd
| last October. She won hOtly-contested race
and secured a record Of 2:2714 in the fourth heat.
Miss Thompson made a record at Baltimore In
| NAV. OF last year, Of 2:3lI4, and Toodlos has a
record Of 2:36 27, made in race oyer our track.
| Miss Thompson Is owned BY n. VI. HewetL, ol
| Wvanoke. Va, Toodles by j. C. Smith, and Roa-
| noke Maid by a Richmond merchant
II