The morning times., 1896-04-19
PALAD|h IT FOUR-IO IO-0NE
Took the Blue and Gray Handi-
cap From Mighty PaImerston.
FIRST DAY AT BENNING
Betting on the English Plan Was
Free and the Sports Seemed to
Like It-Marschau Won the Easter
Steeplechase-Br Brisk Led In the
Fourth.

The brightest prospects possible faced
the Washington Jockey Club yesterday
when the gates of the pretty little course
at Benniug we're thrown open for the
spring meeting of 1896.
The opening OF the legitimate racing
season in the East as well as the reopenins
OF Benning after three years OF idleness,
the event was heratded in sporting and
social circles with delight.
Nashingtoniaus have Ueen awaiting the
opening. and when their pa tence was finally
rewarded, their most hopeful antieipations
for a successful meeting were more tilan
realized. Ifany doubt existed That race
track could be conducted In TINS city ou
sIortsInaniike lines sWithoutthe eobs seftlonabie
features of bookmaking, 1T was dissipated
by Yesterdays experience.
The attendance was not quite as large
as could have been wished for, not more
than two thousand people being present,
but it was the most exclusive crowd that
mas ever visited the track.
The all important question among the
would be able TO place wager on the
horse OF their choice if they saw fit. Con-
seouentiy, the paddock where the layers
Of odds were supposed TO hoid forth was
the first place invaded
There they found that no difficulty what
ever wouldbe eencountereQ, Solons astheLaW
agaiHsthetting wasstrietly yadbcredto. Ihis
could he done if the English system, Which
was in vogue in New York State last year.
was followed.
BIG HoRsEMEN PRESENT.
Many prominent horsemen from the East
were present To witness the opening. MIR.
August Belmont was conspicuous figure
as was Capt. j. H. Bradford or the COncJ
Island Jockey Club, Mir. Frank Beard, the
owner OF last years suburban winner.
LaZZarone. Mir. Brayton ives, president .t
the Western National Bank of New YORK.
Wheelock, Pa" DAILY. Col. Tom oehitree.
Senator Alien, Senator Wolcott, Col
Phil Thompson and Campbell Carringtou
were among the visitors.
The Blue and Gray Handicap, SIX
furIougs dash Tor T4!rec year olds and
upward was the event OF the day. There
We're nine carded 10 start but kallirl,oe
from the Madison stable and Jack Bennett >
RoundsInan refused the Issue.
The race was the third Oil the card and
by the time 1t was reached interest IN the
contestant had stanciI admirers and the
chances Of this or that horse were discussed
ut length.
Han we'll was known to have done some
work that was calculated to break clocks.
but on the other hand PamerstOn was said
TO be even better. Then there was
Fred Burlew's Buckrene. What was the
matter with his chs1ioe tif WHINING tie pltlni
His stable thought highly OF him and mad d
large backing. Pa Days Hurlingbam
and tie Morrises Paladin were also touted
US good things.
PALMERSTON THE PICK
The moment the second race was over
a rush was made TO the paddock. All wera
anxious TO back their favorites aud to see
which one OF the candidates the layers or
odds w,.ud install first choice. Without
any, hcsitancy Palmerston was settled on
as the pick OF the lot aud 8 to . was
;he best price obtainabe against him.
PaIadin and Ha warden were FAR from for
gotten at fours, and IL big commission On
Buckreue kept his price down 10 HveS.
The excitement was Ut its height when
suddenly the musical notes OF Tie bugie
sounded clear and strong boye the hubbub
IL was pOsttimr, ANA points ofyanta Il re were
Immediately secured from which la view
the struggle, which promised to he a grand
one.
The huglc call WAS followed by Il Stiffness
as IF death, aud then slddenl Y q 10 " murfnilr
of admiration which swcllcd TO ioud shouts
of approval were heard as the iirst candi-
date 10 the Blue aud Gray majsSticdlIy
emerged from the paddock. II WIS Buck
rene, ana rs he came pranCing and dancing
down past the stand with his beautiful
glossy coat glistcning in the sunshine lie
was "a picture OF the American thorough
bred.
He was quickly followed by the others
First. Palmerstor. then Huriingham, aD,
then the Paiadin, hearing the all scarlet
of the Aorrises. A fresh burst of ap-
plause was rendered him by The admircr,
of the stable. In another moment they
were all OH the track, and after paTading,
turned and Cantered to the six furloDG
pole.