The morning times., 1896-01-04
ISLAND WILL ALSO CLOSE
Fellows in tie Footsteps Of the
81. Asaph Track.
NO RACING UNTIL SPRING
Thought by Many Followers of the
Game That the Track WIN Not
Be Allowed to Reopen-Bnd jun bile
In the Third Race at ST. Asaph
Xe esterduy.

Yesterday was getaway day at the st.
Asaph track. Today VIII mark the closing
scenes of the sport at the course of the Old
Dominion Jockey Club
When the buglc calls the horses Ia the
post in the closing race on the program
his afternoon it may be the last time that
the familiar notes will sound in the State
OF Virginia for many a long day.
When the management oil the Island
track held a meeting yesterday afternoon
and decided to close down they announced
that il would only be for the winter, aud
that racing would be resumed In the
sprl3g. While this may be their intention
H. is the opinion OF many well-iniormed
people that they will never be allowed To
open their gates again.
There VIII he wild scramble this after
noon by all OF the owners to secure a purse,
and woe betide the unlucky individual who
attempts to beat the game. All pIecau-
tioIs viii be thrown 10 the winds, the
main idea being ON all sides to get hold
OF Il bit of the money.
This was apparently the idea that was
uprcrmost in the minds of the talent, horse
men and bookna kers yesterday. a S the game
WIS a fierce one Only one pronounced out
slider won, but nearly every book in the
ring was doing red hot undertaking busi-
h',N pi ooiiIe Nbits Va lplhhps on VI tiN
events
COMEDY OF MISTAKES.
The three-yedr-old maiden race furnished
a tumble of mistakes and accidents. airline
won the race with Wednesday second and
March third. Wednesday nearly pat March
over the fence right In front of the betting
ring. and was disqualified. BenZetta fin
istied fourth, but the judges made a mistake
in the colors and placed Frank Davidson.
who finished tenth, in third place.
The eight books that went on quit ahead
OF the game. Notwithstanding the fact that
three favorites cashed.
Clailsman had the call l.; the first race,
but ran way behind his usual form, and
finished among the "aiso rams" The
winner turned up in Marksman. who won
galloping by six lengths from Tim Flynn,
who was three i'll front of Westover.
Another odds on favorite was bowlcd
over in the second racein Valkyrie. She was
never prominent. finishing back in the
bunch, with Matte Chun, first under The
wire. three lengths before Sir Tom, who
was neck in front OF Remorse.
Wednesday AND MARCH NET.
Te. maitiens faced the sta rter i'll the third
with Airline the choice at 2 to l. After
Wednesday was through her humping match
with March. Underwood brought airline up
and got the decision in easy style by
length.
The fourth race was simply a gallon for
Tancred, who led all the way and Won
pulled 10 walk by eight lengths from
Earn. who beat Saginaw, a 200 Ia ! shot.
rhree-parts of a length for secund money.
Hcrudon was the good thing in the
fiflh race, being pla ycd from q a. down
20 6 to 5. He finally closed at twos. He
was in front all the way aud lasted long
enough Ia win in hard drive 10y a head
from Leigh, who was two before La
Prentis.
The closing race furnished the surprise
of the day, Gov. Fifer winning at odds
of 90 Ia ]. The race was Il hnt betting
affair. nearly everything In IL receiving
good support. BrDgan looked winner all
over n the head of the stretch. where he
stopped badly and finished second to Gov.
Fifer, with Van Dyke third, five lengths
away.