The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-28
OPENING DAY IS AN AUGURY OF SUCCESS Prospects Bright for HotSpringS
 Jockey Club PLUNGERS ARE IN LINE Men Prominent on the Race Track are Prepared to Stake Their Money
 and Everything Points to
 Successful Meet.
pLUNGERs ARE IN LINE
sy HOMER GEORGE.

Hot springs. Ark, February 2l.-(Spec- ial)-n the opening day may be accepted as A criterion upon which to base JudS- roent of inc success or failure of the in augural of the Hot Springs Jockey club the news may go forth that no racing or- ganization has ever had more hattlhg prospects than thfs-with it's modest pant modest purses, but high grade horses anu plunging turf followers. When weather conditions are more perfect and the track less stick the meeting will draw crowd decidedly more fiattering
 In making this statement it must be remembered that Hot Springs has popu- lation of only about 10000 regular lnnapi- tants. The making of the opening day a half holiday, however. gave the popu- lace a better chance to attend than other- wise. Hence the outpouring that was not lived up to the following day But the regular attendance from the hordes of visitors-the majority of whom are ln- cllned to be sports-will do more than the attendance of all the natives to make the meeting successful, for these people have money and are not tlnlo when le comes to passing it over on any chahee'
 The closing down of the six pool rooms the Southern, Kentucky, Ankansas' the Turf the Illinois clubs and the New York Exchange made the down town, Central avenue and bath row look almost de- serted. The same act threw more than five hundred betting turf followers to the track, and the way they made things hum about the betting ring was shameful to think about. It was also inspiring to any genius with a tendency to risk either money or reputation. The first day proved a reminde of the first part of the lgO2 winter at New Orleans when the get rich-quick people were flashing money Tn enormous quantities about the ring
 Even the field books offered high prices. These are operated by Attorney Nolan, who is the right-hand man of John J. Ryan. In addition Ryan had two books in line, both boosting from the jump. He was betting good sums himself and has said he will go back to the same manner of betting employed in the east when he had to get a hamper basket to carry money from the bank to the ring when he paid his markers one day. Kid Weller, of the infinitesimal nerve when it comes to gaming, who conducted the big store book that attracted world wide attention to the east two years ago, was on hand.
 Steve LHommedieu, who Is known at every big race track in the United States as plunger of as much nerve as Riley Grammar ever had, with the added quality of always being able to get a bank roll, is making a book and picking winners, too. Charles Heneshall Is in line, with J. K. Hughes of Kansas City, Chambers & Walker, Billy Shannon, Billy Walsh, Tom Kearney, and others From the ground Charley Ellison. Jim Arthur, Rus sell Baber, ]. U. Strode, John w. Schorr, John J. McGraw, Rome Raspess, Frank Lantermann and others of as much plung- ing fame-to say nothing of the general public-are doing their best to beat the players
 The opening of the big future books on the American Derby, the Worlds Fair handicap, the Montgomery handicap, the Suburban, the Brooklyn, and Harlem han dicaps, to be conducted by Kid Weller, will take place within a few days. Only full lists of entires and declarations are now being awaited In the majority of cases though weights will delay the plac- ing of odds on the St. Louis event. Af- ter these are announced Weller will prob ably go to Chicago-at least, he will go there during the coming month. Tom eKarney will conduct small future book on the St. Louis race only.
 The big Arkansaw club, conducted by John J. Ryan, will give it's formal open Ing Monday night of next week. The club is to be decorated in the most fashion able and costly manner with palms, roses and flowers of every description. Ladies are to be invited and every effort will be made to make the affair assume larger proportions than is usual at even Sara toga. Every room-private or public-will be open to inspections, while In the dining room an elaborate meal will be served Ladies and everybody may take chances at the various games or not, as they may wish.
 Among the southerners at the springs are H. B. Goldberg. l.. H. Putney, MT. and Mrs. M. Wentz of Atlanta, Mrs. Henry Norton. N. c. Stone, J. Walton. Tony T. Rebori, Denny Buford of Mem phis. T. B. Inghram. T. l.. Long and II. H. Chamberlayne of Jasper, Ala, and James c. Peacock of South Georgia.