The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-05
ousrs HAD BEEN SENT TO THE
POST WHEN RECALLED.
OWNERS AND TRAINERS
PROTESTED VIGOROUSLY.
AN wEATHER KEPT VISITORS AT
HOME AND FEW WE'RE IN
GRAND STAND.

.s.er the Heavy DOwnpOur-hac-
omciaIs Did Not Like the
,,.o of BeGinning the Meeting
So UnnuspiciOusly - Yesterdays
card Will BE Run on One of the
No.. IN which a Programme Has
-. AIrendy Been Prepared.
THE bugle had sounded, the judges
Ill had changed, the jockeys had deck
- themselves in the silks of their
cables. and mounted on their hopes Tor
,,,ctorv. had started to the post yester-
Aov afternoon when 1t was announced
.ha+ there would be no races-on ac-
count of rain.
pain commenced falling shortly be-
,ore the first call was sounded, and
,,bon the starters galleped down the
s,retch for the three-quarter pole there
mas a heavy mist that preceded the
dov,npour, and the infield was COM
v,atelv obliterated. The horses held
tbeir heads down as they galloped to
the post in the teeth Of the high wind
that accompanied the rain, but all jock
avs are accustomed to race rain or
chine and there was no hesitation in
getting to the post. Some had taken
their positions when, after hasty con-
sultation. the management decided that
n would be better to postpone the races,
az the threatening weather had kept
the crowds away, and the sport would
he married by the heavy rain that gave
promise of continuing all the afternoon,
and they were recalled.
Hit the Betting Ring.
Though the announcement was a
surprise to those in the betting ring
II was conceded that it was the Wisest
thing to do under the circumstances.
The threatening weather had Kept WIS.,
itors away and as the class of racing
tbot would have been possible would
have beeen disappointing to those who
are not accustomed to witnessing races
in bad weather, it would have seriously
effected the success of the remaining
DAYS of the meeting.
The books had drawn in several
hundred dollars when the announce
mpnt was made. DR.. Guernsey had
been installed favorite, and when the
rain descended his price of to B
was cut to to 5, as he is known to
be veritable mud lark. The horse
men, of course, were disappointed, and
were not lOath to express themselves.
THE idea" said one veteran of the
bushes, "of being afeard that er jock
ey or er boss will keer fer this hit
tie shower. l have raced where tne
water was so deep on the track that
er boss could hardly wade, much less
run, en- l have always been used to
racing rain or shine. 1t just knocks
me out of one purse, as my mare
could have won httched to a buggy.
S d Judges Acted wisely. ! 7 Z,
Judge Russwurm said that he thought
the action of the management was the
most advisable course to pursue under
the circumstances, despite the fact that
there was sure to be much dissatiSfac-
ton among the horsemen. Where rae
ing is carried on regularly, and eX-
penses are going on whether there is
racing or not it is almost fatal to
the success of a meeting to postpone
races on account of bad weather, but
in a meeting of this kind, when the
association itself has much at stake
there are times when items of ex-
pense without income, and other con-
ditions have to be taken into conSid-
Grafton.
Starter Gerhardy was at the post
when the announcement of the post
pOnement of the races was made. He
was signalled to return, and as he
crossed the infield back to the judges
stand he had to wade through water
several inches deep, which indicated
what a quagmire the track must have
been.
The first race was to have been
started at 3 o'clock, but as there were
evidences of rain in the heavens ii
was decided to start the first one at
2:+5, and if possible, finish it before
the rain came up. But the clouds
moved rapidly than was calculated
and the first drops fell just as the
horses were being saddled.
Every Owner a Sure Winner.
Every owner who had starter was
positive that he would win. Every one
was loud in his declaration that his
horse just revelled in such goings, and
really was trained for one race in q
creek. But all could not have won, and
after all there are many more races tC
DE run when skies are fairer and crowds
are oetter-to make the sport look like
what it really is
The number of people in the grand
stand was as large as could have beer
expected under the circumstances. The
I'M eatening weather Kept those who
intended going out in the afternoon al
nome, and the few that went into the
grand stand were those who went t
the grounds earlier in the day.
Inc programme which was to have
neeh carried out will be run on one OF
she Gays on which events have not we
oeeh assigned. To-day's card will
stand as scheduled, and the card prom
lSes good sport.
Good Track Promised To-day.
The sun came out at 4 O'Clock, ana
the track will be in fairly good condi
Non to-day. The sandy. surface drie
rapidly and after a harrow has beer
run over it frequently it will be il
500 shape for racing, though the go
ing VIII be a little heavy.
me prices yesterday were perhap
al mat the crowd of bettors presen
would warrant, but they offered littl
nuucement to the sharpshooters.
Is, OF course, ridiculous to expect t
~ as small percentage books at meet
lngs of the class of thi
One mere, but it may ap
peal to the layers that while thei
plVnts on the money handled woul
not De so large there would be NOR
money handled and equally as mucl
pIoht Tor them did they tack on
~ points to induce those who ar
alLy willing to make a bet TIL
80 Oh one to two, two to three an
80 10 one books are over, and tn
erage man who puts his money Of
., race wants to know that he is get
ing something less severe than nut
,iCehtage against him. The first bet
ing ~, posted yesterday was tight. 81
q Lere was conspicuous absence o
odnu IN the grand stand IT wa