The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-15
DIR. RICE WINS.
He Takes the Brooklyn handi-
cap in 2-:O7A.
Navarro Was Second, Sir Walter
Finishing Third.
WEST AGAINST EAST.
Clifford, Western FavOrite. Sir
Walter the East's.
Largest Crowd Ever Assembled
for This Event.

GRAvEsEND RACE TRACK, Brooklyn,
May IA better day could not have
been selected for the opening of the
racing season in the east; for with the
sun rose not cloud and the air was
warm and clear. The Gravesend track
was IN perfect condition The great
BROOKLYN handicap is the fourth on the
card and should be run shortly after
O'Clock in the afternoon. There was
trouble among the army of men who go
to the track daily during the training
season; for they were without the usual
free passes as the new jockey CLUB had
decided that passes were to be issued
only To those whose business obliged
them to be at the track and the swarm of
tents alleged jockeys and broken down
sports had the fact staring them In the
face that they would have to pay TO see
the racing.
The city is full of western and south
ern sporting men, who have come on to
back the western horses, and curiously
enough three of the favorites come from
that section. Clifford was the choice of
a mai .rity from the west and Sir Walter
from the south.
In former races there has been large
crowd of hangers or at the track, who
were waiting to see how they could
manage to remain through the racing,
but none of them were to be seen today.
The guards were put on early, and the
annoying touts- who have heretofore
swarmed over the track to the disgust of
the respectable race goers could not be
seen. The grand stand was as clean as
a new pin, and in the morning sunlight
the grass looked like velvet.
The Crowds Come slowly.
1t was not until noon that there was
even decent showing of spectators in
the grand stand, and the arrivals up to
that time had been slow; new expe-
,,
at noon the seats had been we'll filled.
On the outside we're hundreds who had
had free access to the track, and they
were trying in every way but paying to
get admittance.
Touts were halted at the entrance
even after they had bought tickets and
were told that they were not wanted in
side. One new rule of the Jockey club
was working in earnest to the great dis
gust of those whom it affected
The absence of complimentary tickets
for ladies also had its effect on the gen
eral appearance of things and the
grand stand was chiefly occupied by
men, the absence of we'll dressed women
being particularly noticeable At 1:15
p. N. the trains began to come in at more
frequent intervals and the grounds were
filling up. The horses were ready for
the race. The track had been wet down
and rolled, so that it was in prime condi-
tion.
The owners of the candidates seem to
be confident of winning. and each has
his own particular idea to when his
horse is going to break the bars down.
Taylor declares that they will have to
beat 2:07 to get ahead of Sport. and says
this horse is fit to run for his life.
Doggett says that he will win by three
lengths with Sir Walter; and Foster de-
clares that DIR. Rice is sure to carry off
the money. The Clifford partisans are
sure that they will win and Byron Nc
Clelland thinks Henry of Navarro is a
winner. Taylor says Ajax has no chance
whatever and that Clifford will quit as
soon rs the stretch is reached.
And that is the way stories 60 1t Is
conceded the most open race since the
handicap first run and the record
may go when the victor passes the line.
The Odds Posted.
From one o'clock on the attendance in
creased rapidly, and it was not long be-
fore the grand stand was full of people
il could be. Nothing was left but
standing room at o'clock. The record
of book-makers was broken for 112
weighed iu, the largest previous
record being 109. Long before the time
for posting the odds arrived, the betting
about was difficult. The book-makers
began laying odds on the handicap as
follows:
Sir Walter 21S straight and even for
place; Clifford 81 and even; Banquet 10
to 4; Don Alonzo 20 to s; DR.. Rice and
2; Herald 40 aud 12; Ajax 8 and 3; Sport
II and A; Diablo 80 and 10; Comanche
40 aud 10; Copyright 40 and 12; Blitzen
100 and 30; Lowlander 40 and IS; Loan
TAXA 90 and 20; Bassetlaw 80 and 12;
Henry of Navarro and 2.
At 40 p. m. it was estimated that 3d.
600 spectators were present and the
trains were coming in rapidly, adding
largely TO the number. The intield was
filled with carriages and not an inch of
space was left along the rail. Ii was the
largest crowd ever seen at the handicap
Mr.. Dwyer withdrew Don Alonzo from
the list of starters at D. m A little
later LOantaka and Hermitage were both
Withdrawn.
Rtcing Begins
First race, for all ages, five furlongs
sweepstakes = StonnelI won, with DIR.
Hasbrouck second and Correction third.
Time, :U1 -.
Second race, for 3-year- olds, one mile
Halton won, John Cooper second, Sir
Knight third. Time, 1:431S.
Third race-The Expectation stakes
for 2-yaar- -olds, 4 mile: Utica won;
Dre.bund second; Tamerlane third.
Time not given.
Philip ]. Dwyer was arrested just as