New-York tribune., 1907-08-11
CROWD AT EMPIRE CITY
M4NY HAVE TO Walk.
Prince Ahmed Wins Feature at
Opening of Track.

Fully fifteen thousand persons attended the
opening of the meeting of the Empire CltJ
Trotting Association at the Yonkers track
yesterday afternoon. James Buffers highest ex-
pectations were more than reelized-in fact, the
crowd was so large that the gates 10 the fed
stands had to be thrown open and a couple OF
thousand lovers of the thoroughbreds thronged
through and into the track inclosure It was
sight rarely Eastern track From
the stretch turn to the judges stand the rail
lined twenty deep. The scene was much
like that on Derby day in England.
The grandstand and clubhouse were filled to
their capacity, while the broad, slopfng lawns
hidden under surging, swaying mass OF
spectators Every inch of room was utilized
There was we'll balanced programme to in
terest the spectators, with the Empire city
Handicap. for three-year-olds and upward. at
one mile, as the feature. It carried with it
50 600 in added money. Incidentally, this was
of the two during the day in which
favorite came home first. J. c Ferrfss' Prince
Ahmed proved TO be the winner in driving
finish with Cederstrome Eight horses went to
the post, with Prince Ahmed the public choice
at q to in the betting Considerable play
made on Cederstrome, and Flavtgny was backed
down from 10 to to l. Topsy Robinson, after
opening at > to 1, closed an even favorite with
Prince Ahmed.
The field was off to good start, with Topsy
Robinson first showing in the lead. Cloisteress
ran second to Prince Ahmed leading the second
division They raced in this order until the
rhree-quarter mile post, where W. OFT called on
Prince Ahmed. and the chestnut colt responded
garnely, going under the wire half length
ahead Of Cederstrome, which came with q
rush at the end Topsy Robinson managed to
hang on long enough to get third money
Cloisteress had plenty of early speed, but tired
badly in the stretch The result proved entirely
satisfactory to the large throng of racegoers.
TROLLEY SERVICE DEMORAIIzED
Next In inportance to -ha Eyrnira 1-,,r, H.
dicap was the transit problem. Although the
Union Railway Company had made elaborate
preparations TO handle a large crowd it failed
completely The special trains from the Grand
Central Station dumped off thousands at Wood
lawn Station where it had been announced
trolley cars would convey them to the track
AT i O'Clock, when the first train drew into
Woodlawn, there were probably fifty cars lined
up About two thousand persons went up on
the first train. There q wild rush for the
trolley cars. In q few moments every car was
filed. Finally the starter got them off Every
body expected 10 get to the racetrack In about
twenty minutes. The first got there a few
minutes before 2, and few Of the others ever
got there at all From Woodawn Station all
the way to the racetrack, fully two miles. there
was a string of cars crawling along at snaiPs
pace. and oftentimes stopping for fifteen or
twenty minutes Finally the power gave out
completely and effort was made to transport
the people
The service on Jerome avenue was equally
bad, while the trip from Mt. Vernon took almost
long from the Grand Central Station to
woodlawn The Westchester trolley service was
completely dernorazed Thousands and thou
sands tramped over the hot, dusty road from
woodiawn to the Empire City track II was
tough Journey, but few turned back
LIvERYMEN REAP HARVEST.
There was a rich harvest for Westchester
liverymen. Every kind of vehicle from a farm
wagon to a four-seated rig pressed into
service. and found plenty who willing to
pay e1orbitant rates to be carried to the track
Few persons had any idea Of the distance from
the station to the track Oftentimes hack
driver would get a fare less than a half mile
from the course and then charge full rates 1t
was a typical half holiday crowd and every one
took the inconveniences good naturedly.
After the races the problem OF getting home
was almost as complicated. The service
Jerome avenue had improved slightly. but even
a half hour after the races were ever there
were fully eight thousand persons marooned a.
couple of miles from the nearest railroad sta
ton. Every trolley car that pulled away from
the track entrance WAS alive with passengers.
Some of them carried ten or twenty men on the
roofs Anything that had four wheels was in
demand. 1t is hoped. now that the trolley COM
many has some idea Of what may be expected of
II during this race meeting the service will i'm
prove. Some harsh words were said about the
trolley company and its owners. but the vast
thrONE OF rdceSOtlE WAS III ths Vpiti-
ion that Mr.. Butler deserved support and would
get it,
Mr.. BUTLER SEES BLOCKADE
Mr. Butler. IN company with some OF the
county officials, went down Jerome avenue in
an automobile before the races started He
deeply incensed at the condition OF affairs. but
would say little TO what he intended to do.
once at the track the crowd was well satisfied.
The track itself was In fine condition, although
there had been only comparatively short time
in which to prepare IL for running races
The clubhouse was in festive attire. The
grandstand mad received fresh coat Of paint.
The field stand, which expected to accom-
Ynodate all those who did not care to pay the
higher admission, had been erected adjoining
the grandstand. Long before the races started
II had prove entirely inadequate, and thousands
had to go into the track inclosure. In the
rear of the grandstand was the auto parking
place. and fully three hundred machines snorted
and puffed there. The musical programme was
furnished by Murray's Band.
With the exception OF the transportation ia