Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-17
THIS TIME THEY'RE OFF /! Birmingham's Debut as a Racing
 Point WAS A TIP TOP SUCCESS Heavy Track on Account of the Drenching Rain, but Good Sport Nevertheless.
 Events and Entries for Today

Birmingham is now well in the south western racing circuit. This fact was proved yesterday. and now the most skeptcal will say, This is a racing city,
 Fully 40e9 people turned out yesterday afternoon to witness the inaugural races, and we'll were they repaid for their going. Had 1t not been for the tremendous rain fall of Sunday night and the sharp wind that cut almost to the bone yesterday it is safe to assert that fully three times lthat number would have been out to give the Birmingham Jockey club send-off. Although the track was heavy the sport was good, and four out of five fa- vorites came under the string winners, the only one to lose Uamboree) being beaten out by Queen Bess' jockey, Mur- phy. in the finish by whisker.
 The principal visitor at the race track, Gov William c. Oates the clubs guest, rode out in carriage drawn by four beautiful horses. He occupied seat in the judges stand during the first race, and left shortly thereafter for the city, where he took a train for the east.
 Before the flag fell in the first race a rush was made by the visitors to the betting ring, where five books had been opened. It was evident that many were out looking for "cinches" and good things" and from all appearances they found them
 In the first race there were nine start CTS Starter Chinn had some difficulty in getting the flyers off, 1t being fully twen- ty minutes before the flag fell. La Fiesta led off, with Lizzetta, the favorite, hVe lengths behind. The leader showed good speed early, but fell back into the dis tance in the stretch failing to show at the finish. The favorite opened up on the books at even money, but was played down to to 10 at the post. Fiddler hot ran al in Cnnnn6 mOnPV opened at 10 to 1 and closed at F to to win and to 1 for place. Loretta, who got a taste of the purse, opened at to l ard closed at to 1.
 The purse in this race was worth $l5O in gold to the winner, and was hung up in a magnificent satchel, the handiwork of Mrs w. J. Spiers, wife of the owner of the winner.
 The second race was also favorite's, and was won easily. Gold Dust the fa- yorite, at even money, led from the start and was never headed, coming under the string four lengths ahead of Adam John son, who beat Ed Garland for the place by half a length. B. O. Reed was a hot favorte for second place at 3 to l, clos ing at to 1, but deceived his friends.
 The third race-governor's handicap was the event of the day there being only four starters. Jamboree at to was warm "cinch' and was played Tor all she was worth by the talent Queen
  ed at to 1, had plenty of admirers, how ever and what the bookies captured on Jamboree they lost on the little bay mare.
 The horses got off at the first break and Jamboree led all the way round, with Queen Bess a length behind her heels. It was a pretty three-cornered race at the half post, when the queen was four lengths behind Murphy sat the mare like a Trojan and kept his eye +lA hn O post Jamboree was only a head to the good of Leonard B., with the witch losing ground But in the stretch Murphy be- gan to ride and step by step he forced the mare to the front. passing Leonard B., and beating out the faVorite by nose. It was a grand sight and one to be talked of for days to come.
 Sauterne had a "lead-pipe" on the fourth race. He was played at to and found many takers. Fritzie was chosen for the place, but failed to show. Maxi ma, at 20 to 1 to win and to 1 for the place. kept faith with her friends and pulled them out handily.
 Fritze led off in this race one and a half lengths ahead of Sauterne. Sound Sense at the half led Sauterne by a head, but from there on was sent to the rear with Fritzie. At the three-quarter pole Maxima was ahead of the favorite by two lengths, but gave way in the stretch, coming in one length behind the winner.
 
 The last race of the day was won by Linnette, also a favorite. by a head from Albert s. Murphy got the mare off in good form, but fell pack to fourth place at the half. Albert Sidney led to the stretch but Linnette, who was here one and half lengths behind. came forward at the Irish lads call and won out in a drive by head.
 Today's Entries.
 Today's card promises to be equally as good as that of yesterday, and the at tendance, with the promised fine wealth CT, should not be less than 5000. The day is termed "St. Patricks Day." and the three divisions of the Ancient Order of Hibernians will be special guests of the club.
 The stakes and entries are as follows:
 First race, five-eighths of a mile, selling Lady Maud, 95; Bridget, 103; Bartender 1O5; B. O. Reed, 107; Barney Aaron, Jr,
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