Evening star., 1902-03-25
SPORTS OF ALL SORTS
Record Breaking Crowd for
Benning Opening Day.
EVERY THING R EADY
WASHINGTON GOLFERS OUT OF
FLORIDA MATCHES.
Shooters Grand American Handicap
Big Pool Tourney-Base Ball
News and Gossip.
EVERYTHING R EADY

It Is needless to say that President How
land and the other officials OF the Wash
ington Jockey Club were up with the birds
this morning getting peeps at the weather
conditions for the opening day at Benning.
When Old Sol struggled through the mists
and broke warm and effulgent over the
city Of Washington. sigh Of relief went
up from hundreds Of horsemen now in the
city, as 1t indicated a tremendous crowd at
the, BennIng and a series of unusually in
teresting races. A cloudy day would have
kept down the attendance. but not hurt the
track, while rain would have knocked out
both.
President Rowland was an early visitor
at the track this morning. and with Super
intendent Lee In tow inspected every inch
OF the inclosure. At the conclusion OF the
tour Of inspection President Howland said
to an Evening Star reporter:
'Whiie there are few unimportant de-
tails to be looked after, I am gratifled to
say that everything has been attended to In
workmanlike style. and the patrons Of the
| Benning course will discover that their
every want has been attended to.
1.-The innovation of fifty-cent field will
be watched with interest. and also the ad-
vance to regular metropolitan prices. The
Washington Jockey Club is Offering attrac-
tions equal to the New York tracks. and 1
think the patrons Of the Benning track will
appreciate the clubs efforts and pay the
| additional half dollar without protest.
''All the races will be contested with
spirit and Won on their merits and the
high standard heretofore set by the WASH
ington Jockey Club will be maintained
Without being at all over-confdent. would
like to make the prediction that this
springs meeting will be the most successful
in the history of the Washington Jockey
Club
Close followers Of racing were out early
at the track this morning. and the army of
rail birds lost nothing that was transpiring
on the track in the way of exercise spins
All the candidates for the Benning handicap
were out on the track this morning, but
there was little cleaned as tn their condi-
tion, as it was noticed that all hard rushes
were cut out, and only light gallops In
dulged in. The bright. warm sun livened up
the little stable boys and put life into the
horses, and it was noticed that everybody
at the track looked forward to the opening
of the gates as the beginning Of great
holiday.
AS to the condition Of the track, experts
who went over 1t this morning pronounce
it fast. A good stiff breeze blew all day
yesterday and last night and coupled with
the hot rays Of the sun a great deal Of the
moisture has been taken out OF the SAND
and clay. and to the unpracticed eye at
least, 1t looks as though the going would be
fast.
Quite number of the small fry Of book
makers Will De QlSdppOIuleu' HlediiiL6 tuose
who intended to cater to the occupants Of
the field stand. The latest orders are that
there will be no stalls for purchasers In
this cheap inclosure, that there will be no
arrangements outside Of messengers for the
5O-cent element.
1t is thought that this ultimatum was
brought about after gigantic kick had
been dropped in Washington from the Met
ropolitan Turf Association. The members,
so it was said. claimed that II there were
books In the cheap field 1t would deprive
them of much Of their revenue.
Be this as it may, there will be little do
ing in the cheap field in the betting line
Everybody. which practically means the
workers and spectators. Is either here or
on the way. Every train brings In some
old face or new one. The New York
Limited dumped in such load there were
not hackmen sufficient to haul away the
truck and trunks. Officials and sports
elbowed each other in the jostle to get ac-
commodations.
1t is estimated that there will be thirty
thrifty layers of odds in the ring to start
In and possibly more The NETS will
have the preferable locations. usual. The
ring having been enlarged will insure more
comfort.