The Washington times., 1902-03-29
One by One Pencil Push
erS Drop by the
Wayside.
WEALTHY ALONE STAND GAME
Drilling Rain Cast a Damper Over Many
of the Sports, Who Also Considered
Good Friday and Remained Away
Money, However, Was Quite Plentiful.

Unless the luck of the hackers of the
bangtails at Benning changes pretty soon
there will not be many layers of odds left
in the pavilion to accommodate the spec
ulators 1t is doubtful if there is sin
gle bookmaker at the track that can show
q balance on the right side of the ledger.
On the opening day of the meeting for
ty-eight men with pencils drew in, full
of hope and determination to worst their
enemies, the public. Benning has on
many occasions proven a Waterloo for
the men who lay odds, but such a thing
as quitting never enters their heads. They
generally go tie limit of their bank rolls
and do not give up until they are all cut.
There is always that glorious possibili-
ty of tomorrow with the layer. but so far,
tomorrow is still in the dim and hazy dis
tance.
Books Fall Out.
Yesterday, when the time came for the
books to line up, there were but thirty
five of the forty-eight who weighed in on
the opening day, left to do battle But
they had faith and hope, and cleared
themselves for action in determined fash
ion. They led and countered and side
stepped the talent during the afternoon,
but in only one round were they victori-
Gus.
When the smoke had cleared away at
the close of the day the talent had five
clean knockouts to its credit. and there
was no question as TO who gained the vic
tory.
However, it is quite probable that the
layers, or at any rate, those who still
have hope and sufficient bank roll. will
come up today, smiling and anxious to
take their place. Perhaps the public will
be lenienr with them for once.
Yesterday was one of the days that
test the loyalty and stability of the lover
of racing. 1t was damp. dreary, and dark
at the track. The rain fell steadily
throughout the afternoon, a fine driz-
zling, penetrating rain it was: but the
large crowd present did not seem TO mind
it at all. The public was there to have a
good time. and endeavor TO win money,
and they did both.
Mud Caused Doubts.
There is always question uppermost
in the mind of your raeegoer on a rainy
day. 1t rises to the lips constantly and
can be heard on every hand before every
race: Can he run in the mud?" In most
cases yesterday he could The track
was sloppy on top, but there was a good
foundation, and considering the condi- !
tion of the going, fast time was made in (
the various events. Although there were /
no hair-raising finishes. the sport was in |
teresting.
Scratches were plentiful in the several !
races, but there were enough horses left
in majority of the events to make spec
ulation brisk
Elizabeth Moan won in such hollow
style the other day that she was naturally
made the choice in the first race of the
day. She opened up at to in the bet
ting, but steady stream of money went 1
In on her, and when the bugle called the
horses TO the post she was at odds-on
Cormorant and Imperialist were played
for the place, and Gwynne was also fan
cied by some.
Elizabeth Moan was away running when
the flag H. and Booker evidently had in
D go out and make every post
a winning one. He did this very success
fully, for the flly opened up a gap and
came under the wire easy winner
Cormorant was away none too we'll, but he
quickly ran into second place and staid
there 10 the end. Ninonia made I'D a lot
Of ground in the stretch, but her run was
made too late to land her inside the
money.
Rumor Played Havoc.
There was a weIl-defined rumor out be-
fore the two-year-old race that Blue
Delft was one of the best in the Morris
stable, and the books hesitated to lay a
price against her. They finally put up 3
TO 5, which was quickly played to 1
to-
In her warming-up she went so well ,
hat the race was thought to be all over.
Allie Violet, one Of the Bradley horses.
also showed speed in her ante-post gal
op, and she was given liberal support ,
1eing backed down several points Merry 2
hilden, however, was the second choice s
n the betting. The filly with the unpro-
name, Mda, was in front when r
he barrier went up, and she Immediate I
= went out to show the way with Allie n
Toilet and Merry Milden following +
In the stretch Mda was still in the {
an, but Tommy Burns had been riding I
waiting race with the favorite, and at y
he furlong pole he sent her up to the
eader. For moment II looked as If the y
srorite was done for. but Burns had only T
Q shake her up bit, when she came {
way and won in hand. Mda was easily {
econd. I
Red Damsel was thought to be a little
ne best class of the three starters in the a
lird event, and she was consequently a
lade favorite at odds on but those who
aw her warm up and then watched the r
allop of Early Eve through the stretch. r,
layed the latter to beat her. q
Early Eve went to the front at once | II
nd maintained her advantage easily. the | h,
ivorite apparently being in trouble soon IL
tier the start. Princess Ottiliie Joined | n
ed Damsel in chase for the leader, but | p.
the stretch Ottillie gave it up. leaving r,
ed Damsel to go after Early Eve. She
Iiled, however. TO reach. W
Nine to Start. A
The usual maiden race of the day had 60
ne starters. When business settled n
'wn in the ring it was found that Jus
ce was the chuice. and he gained many IL
lends by his good showing in the pre- :,
ninary. u
Gayhilda and High Carnival were those "
,xt fancied, while Odds and Ends. from 70 70
e DAILY stable, was played by the fol- "a
wers Of the rcd and green.
The Bandit, High Carnival. and Foxey -"
riley was the order et the start and
p ran thus TO the upper turn, where
'oker sent Justice up and took a hand
the run home Justice took the lead