Evening star., 1902-03-22
SPORTS Of ILL SORTS
Getting Things Ready for
Benning Opening Day.
HORSES BACKW ARD
"FATHER BILL" DALY'S STRING
LOOKS VERY PROMISING.
Gilbert Killed 90 Pigeons Straight
Rubin Knocks Out Maher - Base
Ball News and Gossip.

The rising temperature Of the last two
days has greatly encouraged the horse-own-
ers at the BenninS track and a continua-
ton of the same conditions will find the po-
mes in very fair condition when the spring
meeting starts next Tuesday. Nearly all
the horses at the track were out for light
work this morning. but none OF them did
more than Il three-quarters squirt.
Hopscotch stuck gamely to the track and
covered a mile in 154. Slidell negotiated
six furlongs in 1.191s Gwynn did the same
distance in 1.21. Cherries went the haIs
III SO. The Rogue also covered six furlongs
III 1.191A. Ohnet took 1t easy and went the
same distance in 1.24, while Decanter COW
cred five furlongs in Loo.
There was quite a group of onlookers this
ncrning, including a number Of ladies' and
the work Of each horse was watched with
considerable interest. The track is getting
better eacn day, and the chances are that
a fairly fast course can be expected by the
public next Tuesday.
With all the improvements made at the
track the management would be doing the
Letting public another good turn by hang
ing numbers over each bookmaker or a let
ter, so that in the hurry and hustle a bettor
not familiar with the faces of the odd
layers can easily recall the book with which
he dealt This suggestion comes from an
old-timer, who appreciates the trouble of
the nOvices in the betting ring
Superintendent Lee has his hands full in
getting everything ready for the opening,
but with the exception of some little brush
ing up here and there, putting the finishing
touches on, SO to speak, everything is
ready. now. and the plant presents a met
ropOlltan appearance.
Belmont's String Coming.
The horsemen are beginning to show up
in numbers but there are several stables
yet to arrive at the track. The Cough
acres stable string reached the track late
yesterday afternoon. All the horses are
locking we'll.
A string from the stable of August Bel
mont in South Carolina is due to arrive to-
morrow, in charge of Assistant Trainer
Whalen. This is proof sufficient that Mr..
Belmont will lend his assistance in making
the meeting. from strict racing point Of
view. worthy Of the improved plant and
conditions generally.
The management oE the Washington
Jockey Club has decided to experiment with
the prices Of admission to the track Owing
to a 5O-cent fieldstand having been erected
it has been deemed advisable to raise the
price of admission to the grandstand to
Heretofore the general admission was 81
to all parts of the Enclosure.
To Make Room for Patrons.
experimental, and the only method tina.
could be devised to thin out the ring. Last
fall the ring was so crowded that at times
1t became congested.
1t Is hard to tell now just how good the
racing will be. A reliable authority inti-
mates that 'Bil" Daily will sweep things
up pretty clean with his stable, owing to
the backwardness Of the horses that have
Wintered here.
1t is said that Unma sked has worked six
furlongs in lis, and was extended all the
way. while Daly's Himself covered the
same distance at Brooklyn in less than
1.16 pulling the boy out of the stirrups.
These are the two horses well thought
of In the Bennings Handicap on the open
ing day. The same authority declares that
he has seen but few horses hereabouts
that are within two weeks of a race
From this it can be judged that the
stables Of DAILY and Wyndham Walden must
be we'll considered by spectators. as we'll
as the few horses that come from the
south and west