The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-17
READY FOR THE STARTER
Washington Jockey Clubs Autumn
Meeting Begins Today.
An Attractive Card Presented for the
Initial Afternoons Sport - The
Track Faster Than Ever Before
Many improvements Make Prac-
ticaIly "a New Bcnn;ng-The Entries

The Washington Jockey Club will throw
open its gates this afternoon for the au-
tumn meeting. which promises to be the
most successful in the clubs history. The
track and its surroundings were never in
as good condition as they are at present.
So many improvements have been made
that the public may be prepared to see
almost a new Benning. The pavilion has
been enlarged to such an extent that the
jostling and crowding heretofore eSpe-
rienced by spectators will be avoided
and everybody will have room enough and
to spare.
The old oil lamps called into requisition
on dark afternoons have given place to
electric lights SO that now If necessity
should require it the place can be bril-
liantly illuminated. The lawn in front of
the grandstand and pavilion is concerted
down to the track rail. new board walk
from the paddock to the track, securely
fenced in. has been laid for the especial
use of jockeys. The buildings, stables,
and fences have all been repaired and
painted; in fact, everything has been done
accommodate the public.
All this has not been accomplished
without a great outlay of money, but the
club has not been sparing and has gone
ahead and done all that was required re-
CARELESS of cost. The Jockey Club has
never considered or looked upen Benning
as a dividend paying institution. and has
been content with very small interest
on the investment. The aim has been to
go fret oil
mote the breeding Of high-class horses.
For many years the track did not pay,
and on this account alone President How
land Is to be credited for the present status
OF the club. because to his faith in its pos
sibiiities. and his confidence in the WASH
lngtcn public supporting high-class racing
is due the success and standing of the
Benning track. Owners OF horses have been
attracted here by liberal purses. breeders
have been encouraged by generous stakes
to race their two-year-olds here in the
spring. feeling assured of fair and square
treatment
The reputation of the track and the
Washington Jockey Club for clean racing
is ahead of any. None of the scandals un-
fortunately too frequent at other tracks
have cropped out at Benning. The honor
OF the officials has never been questioned,
and the public has been treated to good,
clean sport, without any disagreeable feat
ures to mar it.
The card for today is good one. With
the exception of the third race the fields
are all large. and barring the maiden two
year-old tsecond racel all of good class
The weights are so nicely adjusted by the
efficient handicaper. ". S. Vosburg that
he has brought them all together, and
made It possible for any horse to have
chance TO win. Especially is this true in
the Opening Day Handicap. when tine diff
ference in the weight between the highest
and lowest is twenty-six pounds. thus Civ
ing Sparrow Wing or Death, who carry the
highest weight. a fair chance to win from
James. who carries the heaviest This race
should be grand one and as the distance
is only seven furlongs. it will be a strug-
gle rom the fall of the flag.
All the noted horse owners are hers-Pa
Bradley. W. C. DAILY. Frank Regain. James
Mclaughlin. Frank Beard. wyndam Wal
den,-R. T. Wilson. l.. " Alexander. W. C.
Oliver. W. P. Burch. and hosts of others.
There Will be no scarcity Of horses, and as
Ibis meeting winds up racing in this sec
ricn TO: the season. the public may feel
assured that every horse entered is trying
TO win
The track is faster than it ever was. and
this Is due to the uniiring efforts of James
Lee the superintendent
The entries and selections for today's
races follow.
Entries for Today. Rnecs.
First race-for all ages. nor-win-
ners of $3.50 in 1899 or 1890: six
furlongs. The Rhymer, 105; McAddie, 1885,
Isia. los: Sadie s, IS; Petit Maltre, lis;
Moor. 1o2.
Second race-For maiden o-year-olds:
five furlongs. Arverne. 1l6; Anthony. ito:
Zenaide, 1Gi; Sentry. Ito; Curtsey 107:
Colonel Ballentine. 10; Bonveriness. l01;
Lecture 10: Chaos, 107; Dame. 107: limo
thy Foley, lilo; Hill. 107; velasques. l07;
1nfallible. 101; Blueskin. 107: The Royal.
10.: Spoil Sport. 1e7: Street Boy lG7: lisa
&C Hopper, 10; Blue Victor, 1G7: Provost.
101
Third Race-For three-year-olds and D.
ward: selling; steeplechase: about two
miles and half. Facial, 49,; Decameron,
157: Gov. Bbdd, 14S.
Fourth Race-For three year-olds end
upward: Opening Day Handicap; seven
furlongs. James. LEG; Charentus. 122;
Kinnikinic. lis: Carbuncle. Ill; Compen-
sation. 10; Warrenton. 10: Gen. Mart
Gary. 109: Hardly, los; Brisk. 10i: as
quith. 1903; Sparrow Wing, 100; Death, 100.
Fifth Race-For two-year-olds: selling:
winners of $3.50, or of seven or more
races; six furlongs. Kings Favorite.
81: Nonpareil, 1903; Flora McFlimsey. l07;
Sempire. liz; THE Brother. 81; 'Novelty,
SO; sGraeious 80; Little Daisy, 81.
Apprentice allowance claimed.
Sixth Race-For three year-olds and up
ward; selling; non-winners of $50 N
1900; one mile and sixteenth. Kirk
wood. LOG; Charawind. 104: Charles Estes.
IS: Handcuff, 1o6; Toluca. liz: Maple. 80:
Speedmass. 1903; Palatial lGl; Shinfane.
JOG: Island Prince, 109; Tip Gallant, IC6:
'Miss Mitchell, IS; 'Magic Light. 80.
Apprentice allowance claimed
BenninE Selections.
First race.-McAddie, Moor. The Rhy-
mer.
Second race-velasquez, InfaIlible, Pro-
vost
Third race.-Governor Budd. Decamer-
on, Facial.
Fourth race.-James. Kinnikinic Death.
Fifth race.-Nonpariel, Little Daisy,
Gracious.
Sixth race.-Toluca Kirkwood, Maple
Football At Van Mes. Park
A game Of football will be played this
afternoon at Ais o'clock, at Van Ness
Park, between the teams of the Y. NJ. C.
A. and the Metropolitan Athletic Club.
.,an<7FHeNSn "A, weak real, stom-