The San Francisco call., 1896-10-25
OPENING. DAY At
OAKLAND TRACK
The California Jockey Clubs
Magnificent New
Home.
An Immense Crowd Witnesses
Some Very Exciting
Finishes.
THREE FAvORITEs IN FRONT.
Rich Inaugural Handicap Captured by
Thelna. a 10 TO Shot in the
Betting.
THREE FAvoRITEs IN FRONT.

Probably all of 5000 people and possibly
more attended the opening of the Cali
fornia Jockey Clubs new racetrack at En-
eryville, suburb of Oakland, yesterday.
The much heraIded tropical weather of
the city across the bay was slightly DIS
colored by dark clouds that threatened
rain. and by a cool wind that caused every
one that wore an overcoat to give the nat
and coat check man a wide berth. And
this sudden freak in the climatel 1t
caused the oldest inhabitant to look grave
and say he never saw anything like it be-
fore. Racing is indeed responsible for
many inconsistencies.
However everything passed off as
smoothly as though the track had been
open for years. The climatic influences
acted depressingly or the fair sex and
their fnery, for they could be easily
counted in the stand.
OF the male portion the old-tImers were
out in fun force. not forgetting kindly
looking Senator Rose of Los Angeles nor
the venerable sage of the turf, Joseph
Cairn Simpson. Although rushed TO COM
pletion and lacking In many instances the
final coat OF paint, the grand stand, pad
dock and other buildings presented avery
as those of ''Old Glory" floating from their
masts and commanded the admiration OF
all. The officers OF the club busted them
selves looking out for the comfort OF the
club.
In the judges stand were Joseph A.
Burke ana ]. W. Brooks, and their de-
cisions gave no cause for contention.
The track while not of the bullet-fast
order was in excellent condition. Sixteen
pencilers posted odds in the ring and
everything went swimmingly with the
talent for the first three races, first choices
stepping across the line in rapid success
sion, all ridden by Eddie Jones. Then
came the Inaugural and the victory OF
Thelma q 40 to l shot, and thereafter the
dope" got twisted OUT of all shape, two
more outsiders winning. 1t is just possi-
bic the layers of odds held their own with
a trifie to spare on the side.
The opening race on the programme was
a six-furlong purse event for all ages.
| The crowd landed on Mt. McGregor II
! with 107 pounds up as the most likely
candidate and raped his odds down from
mount, waited on Quicksilver and Belli-
coso until furlong from the stand, whe n
| he went to the front and won in gallop
by two lengths. Bellicoso got the place
cleyerly length in front of Sir Play. Cole
on Grady PROBABLY did his best, but he has
yet mucn 10 learn. McLlSnt snoWeu no
| speed whatever.
| A $500 selling purse over six furlongs
was the magnet that attracted thirteen
! selling platers to the barrier. La Flecha
and Heartsease were the best of the lot
and they ruled first and second choices
respectively. Red Pike, rank outsider,
tried to make a sneak or the purse, but
Jones on La Flecha let out wrap in the
stretch, aud with little to spare got over
the plate half length in advances of the
! Pike horse. Heartsease was third.
| Howard was scratched out of the two
| year-old event, leaving field of seven to