Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-05-05
HAVE GOOD RACES.
HUSTLER THE DAYS GREAT HERO.
He Wins the Gentlemen Riders
Parse In an Exciting Finish-Clip-
per Takes the Tobacco Stakes
Fannie Martin and Katie q. Win.

: The first spring meeting Of the Rich
mond Riding and Driving Association was
inaugurated at the Exposition race-track
yesterday afternoon under the happiest
auspices
That the recent very unsettled state OF
the weather initiated to no small degree
against the success Of the opening day
there can be but little doubt. yet the
attendance, considering the long delay
and the miseries experienced during the
logical conditions. was satisfactory In
every department. Hope deferred maketh
the heart SICK" the adage runs. and.
though experience shows 1t to be a loose
statement. admitting OF many a saving
clause, there can be no doubt that the
repeated postponements kept many away
who would have otherwise been present.
II fears were entertained yesterday
morning that the weather would turn out
badly, they were happily not realized,
and the miseres experienced during the
first days OF the week did not extend to
the afternoon, for the atmospheric con-
ditions were all that the most fastidious
could desire. The weather during the
early morning was anything but enticing
for people who were interested in the
meeting, but soon after the usual break
fast hour a great improvement took
place. and the sun putting in an appear
ance. the afternoon was delightfully."- fine
WILL BE GENTLEMEN'S RACES.
The keynote of the Riding and Driving
Association was sounded by President
Blake in his inaugural address from the
judges stand yesterday afternoon, when.
summoning the riders In front of the
stand. he ,said: Gentlemen riders,--I
have called you together To impress upon
you the fact that this association in
tends to carry out the principle of its
name. 1t Is the Gentlemen's Riding and
Driving Association. and will conduct its
meetings in an honest and upright man
ner Amy member who shall be tainted
with dishonesty. trickery. or jobbery will
be expelled" He alluded briefly to the
false impression that had been promul-
gated, that the association was merely
a. gambling establishment, and stated that
its sole object was the improvement OF
the horse.
Organized with no Interior object. the
Riding and Driving Association OF Rich
mond will, according to it's bylaws and
the expressed intention Of those connected
with It, reflect the highest credit on the
community, and be for the best interests
of the sport which 1t represents.
The track was slow, yet. considering
the recent storms, in very fair condition.
and every hour seemed to improve II.
The grandstand and enclosures were fairly
well filled, and a number OF vehicles were
in the carriage enclosure. The First
Regiment Band added much to the gen.
eral enjoyment OF the afternoon by rem
dering popular selections between the
events.
Mr.. Frank Walker, OF Indianapolis. who
bears the reputation Of being the starter
par excellence in this country, oficisted
In the trotting races. and Mr. W. j. Car
ter started the running races The
Judges were Messrs. T. I. Taylor II. c.
Chanblin, and W. J. Carter, for the
events. and Messrs. james
Fletcher and Preston Belvin. for the run
ming races.
Mr.. w. F. Vaughan was the assistant
starter.
THE EVENINGS FEATURES.
Some very interesting sport was wit
messed yesterday afternoon. A capital
card was put forth, and of the four races
the Tobacco Purse OF 500 set the ball
rolling. Backers made bad start in
this race. in which Billy Ackerson was
never dangerous and Clipper scored easily
in three out OF the five heats. being
second in the first, and third In the fourth.
OF the seven starters in the second race,
Fanny Martin was always fayorite. and
won all of her heats well In hand. An
exceeding interesting item OF the pro-
gramme was the third race for gentle
men riders, half mile dash In heats
best two in three. An objection was
entered against Hustler on the plea that
the horse had been ridden by a jockey |
but was not sustained. The horse opened
a hot favorite, but was badly beaten In |
the first heat by Reno and Copper Head
The confidence OF the talent was not
shaken, however and 1t was stated on |
good authority that the horse carried |
fully 5000 when 1t went to the pest In |
the second heat. 1t got we'll away and |
maintained the lead throughout the race, |
by one and three quarter lengths, |
and in the third heat furnished the race |
,f the afternoon, winning by short head |
from Reno.
or the FIVE runners for the purse or NOo |
for a mile dash, the extra weight tod on |
Or. Jones, who was looked upon as |
sure thing. and he was easily beaten by ]