Evening star., 1899-04-04
THEEASTERN RACING SEASON
Opened With Good Sport at the Benning
Course.
Chilly Weather Somewhat Kept Down
tumes-Interested Gathering.

The eastern racing season of 1899 was in
augurated yesterday, when the Washington
Jockey Club opened the gates of the Ben
ming course for it's fourth spring meeting.
The wintry weather had a perceptible ef-
feet upon the attendance, not more than
2,O00 spectators making the journey. The
attendance of ladies was relatively very
large, the members club house being par
tcularly brilliant with spring costumes.
The track was in very fair shape, despite
the continued wet spell, good time being
shown in the various events.
While the fields were small, because of
the backwardness of the horses, the sport
was interesting. Two stake events were
decided the Arlington for two-year-olds
and the Easter Steeplechase In the former
the Morris pair. Prestidigitator and
Primrose Day, We're thought to hold the
post time 1 to 8. The result proved great
upset, King Thistle, a Kinglike-Thistle-
down colt, which has been running at New
Orleans, winning rather easily. Mr. w. C..
Eustis' chestnut gelding. The Bobby, by
Inspector B.-Pansy Blossom, finishing sec
ond, the Morris pair running third and
fourth. The winner was 10 and ID to l.
The favorte, Baby Bill, won the steeple-
chase, at even money, Red Hackle, an out
slider, finishing second. Randor II, Last
fellow and Decapod fell, and Hesperian
broke down. Chandler, the rider of Ran
dor II, received an ugly fall, but escaped
with a bad shake up.
Prestidigitatrice, at s to 5, won the first
race, though Danforth, at 80 to l. led with
in a few jumps of the wire. In the fourth,
for two year-olds. the Walden pair, Con-
testor and Specific. finished named, at 1
to ., and in the fifth event Nosey, at the
same price, led from start to finish.
Jockey Joe Sherer was granted a license
and Jockey Bob Sullivan, who was refused
a license by the western turf congress, was
also permitted to ride.
Summaries.
First race, $500, for three-year-olds and
upward non-winners of 81, 900; six furlongs
-Prestidigitatrice, 96 ,Obdom), to 5 and
3 to ., place, won; Danforth, 11S q. Slack,
30 to 1 and 10 to l, place, second, and Gen
Mart Gary, 101 (O'Leary), 2 to 1, third.
Time, 1.16 Charentus, Ren Viking, DR..
Parker Roysterer and Filament also ran.
Second race, Arlington stakes $4OO, for
two-year-olds; half mile-king Thistle, 109
tMcGlone), II to l and to /, place, won; :;
The Bobby, 100 (O'Leary), II to / and to
,, place. second, and Prestidigitator I12
Littlefeld). L to .. third. Time, 80 20
Primrose Day, Matte Bazaar and Cupidity
also ran.
Third race. the Easter steeplechase, $500,
for four-year-olds and upward; about two
miles-Baby Bill, 161 Hiogan, even, won;
Red Hackle, 13I (Sprague), 80 to l and 10
to L, place, second, and Vanity Fair, 154
lBenjamir), 10 to 1, third. Time, 4.I9 Tril-
lion and Varsouvienne also finished. Ran
dor III, Decapod and Lastfellow fell. Hes
perian broke down.
Fourth race $500 for maiden two-year-
olds; half mile-Contestor, 10 Q4ittlefield
4 to , and out, won; Specific, 10 (McGann)
I to . ard out, second and Prestige, 10 o.
Slack, 10 to l, third. Contestor and Spe-
citic coupled in betting as Walden entry
Time, 81. Peeler and Monometallist also
ran.
Fifth race. 5000. for three-year-olds and
upward selling. one mile and forty yards
NoSey, lo6 CHewitD, to ) and out won:
sensational, 1O3 q. Slack, / to l and even
place second and Judge Magee, 30 (Ob-
DOM, to l, third. Time, las. Plantain
and Premier also ran