The Washington times., 1904-03-24
Most AuSpiciouS Begin
ming Track Has Ever
Known.
Thousands of Spectators
and Abundance of
BOOkieS.
Himself, IIlyria, and Tom
cod FaVoriteS in the
Handicap.

With the call of reVeiile. sounded by
the bugIer from the stewards stand at
Benning this afternoon. the racing sea-
son of the year 1904 was ushered in.
Conditions could not have been better.
The rain and gloom Of the past few days
had faded away. under the tempering
influence of a bright sun. and a crowd
that compares favorably in size with
any that was ever seen at Benning is in
attendance.
Crowd Arrives Early.
Lovers of the thoroughbred and others
who go only on special occasions. be-
gan early TO arrive at the track. and
when the hour for starting the first race
arrived, there were thousands of men
and women in the grandstand. with all
eyes focused on the brilliant dashes OF
color that moved rapidly up the long
stretch from the paddock.
In the betting ring thousands OF men
We're pushing and squirming in efforts
10 back their choices.
More than forty members Of the Net
rOpOlitan Turf Association are lined UP
In the ring laying odds against tue
horses. and as the meeting progresses
the number viii be increased.
Form Not Well Known.
Benning is always a course Of salts
faction and profit TO the bookmakers IN
the spring of the year. for the bettoTs
have little opportunity to get a line on
the thoroughbreds and the layers have
In consequence. "a decided advantage.
The track is in fair condition. con-
s4oeflns the constant rain OF almost a
week. and if no more water falls it
will be- good by Saturday.
Score Named fox Handicap.
The Fields that make up the six events
1ra all
the racing promises frst-class sport.
Naturally. the Benning Spring Handl-
cap is the chief topic OF conversation
among most Of the Spectators An even
score OF thOrOughhreds are named 10 20
10 the post. though there Will doubtless
be some Withdrawals before the hour set
rier.
The handicap is the third race on the
card and IL viii be run about o'clock
Among bOOkmakers this morning it was
she opinion that the DAILY trio, Himself
IliyTia; and Tomlcod. would be the post
lulu and Shrine, have many friends.
Daily Expects to Win.
DAILY is telling all OF his acquaintances
that he expects TO win the race for the
third successive time with his chestnut
I colt. Himself. but other trainers are In
"a mood 10 dispute the matter. II is not
HlmEar VIII have an easy victory If he
should win. tor there are plenty OF
horses carded that can take him by tho
head and make him run a bit
Masterman Greatly Favored.
John Boden's morse alas1erman IS
greatly fancied by his owner and horse
men who have observed his work since
he arrived at Benning. This chestnut
son Of Hastings viii be ridden by COch-
ran, and IS the track will suit him and
he IS undoubtedly the class of the race
the horse that beats him VIII have 10
do his very best.
Whichever one Of the twenty starters
pulls down the purse, IT will De no easy
victory for there is plenty Of speed AND
stamina In the race
! Steeplechase Ends Day.
The other event OF interest On tcGay. s
card is. the open steeple chase. which
winds up the days sport. The impress
sion is that Billy Ray viii win. but
: there are many who like th- old bradley
gelding BOaey Boy. who six years ago
mace his first appearance in "a race AZ
the Bcnning track, finishing third