Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-24
TOMORROW OPENS
SPORT At BENN|NG
huSpiCiOuS Outlook for WASH
ingtOn Jockey Clubs
Spring Meet.
Eight Hundred Horses at the
Track, and Large Fields
Are a Certainty.

The unprecedented hot weather of the last
few days seems to have come to stay for
short while at least, and 1t will materially
stimulate all outdoor sports. especially the
spring race meeting at Benning which opens
tomorrow afternoon.
Local enthusiasts have had an unusually
long winter to contend with, and the eX-
tremely large delegation of visitors already
here from the north testihes to the general
anticipation of final release from severe
weather and the enjoyment once more of
their favorite sport.
Not in a number Of years have so many
frst-class horses been collected a Dis
trict race track, drawn here by liberal
purses and stakes. And the Washington
Jockey Club well the sporting world
In general Is to be congratulated on the
suspicious character of the outlook.
Each season of late has increase
In the reputation of Washngton's favorable
climatic advantages as place to winter
race horses. And seven or eight hundred
horses means similar small army of men
well. all of whom have to be fed and
housed to the corresponding benefit of the
local business community.
Large Delegation of Visitors.
An extremely large sale of season tickets
at the Jockey Clubs office since the advent
of the warm weather is a barometer of
public demand for the sport. Never before
at any previous spring meeting has the
output been so noteworthy in this direc-
ton.
Judged by reservations at the hotels. this
afternoons special and later trains this
evening will bring down record-breaking
number of additional visitors to the meet
ing.
Take the outlook as q whole, 1t could not
we'll be more favorable for the sport II the
weather proves at all propitious From a
,yrs ..s,f he
large, as there are more than 800 horses at
the track and in its immediate vicinity.
One Of the last lots to arrive came from
Maryland yesterday. 1t included X. j.
Walden's Belle of Jessamine, Lotus Eater,
Lord Boanerges. Percentage. Enumerate,
LOvable, Patrician. Thanksgiving and Ac-
cumate. and F. Littlefeld's Jubilee. Mari
ana and Maid of Carol all two-year--olds.
Several others also got In from California.
Yesterday work day at Benning and
most Of the Benning handicap horses were
out Some fast runs We're shown by
Grazialio Goldsifter. Toddes. Okenite.
Tickle Rose of Dawn Malacca ArunO and
other fancied candidates.
The popular jockey Miller rode Graziallo
in his trial and Samuel Ross horse will not
run loose II he goes TO the post for the
ton from half dozen horses in the Garth
stable. And as Miller will ride the old
horse that is another point in his favor.
Some of the critics claim that the horses
which have been running at New Orleans,
Hot Springs and Ascot will have the ad-
vantage over horses that wintered here. in
that they will be so much further ad-
vanCed In condition. But when all these
that have been running on hard tracks
strike the soft going here there may be
another story to relate.
Fields Will Be Large.
That fields will be large throughout the
meeting the caliber of tomorrow's card
fully demonstrates. Seventy-four nominal
tons to six events is noteworthy showing
even allowing for some Withdrawals.
The class of the horses in the several
events is of sort likely to produce excit
ing sport, the company in the opening
event being nearly AZ good as in the handi-
cap.
There Is always a great deal of rivalry
among all hands to win this curtain raiser
on account of the handsome silver trophies
20 the owner, trainer and jockey of the
winner. Miller or Radtke will probably
ride Garth's flly Anna May in this race
but II old Quadrille races well as h1
has worked the last month they will have
him TO beat, let alone the others.
4 number of promising apprentice lads
will be seen In the saddle at the meeting
and II capable they will be In great de-
nand Among these is +. T. Miller's
eighty -four-pound boy, young Brady, whC
won here on q. l.. NJ. last fall This boy
IS sure TO make his mark, judged by what
he has shown already.
Some new talent in the crOss-country
ranks Will also he seen out mere. jockeys
Of the "lcppers' claim that these jobs ar,
not as risky as the nat But few PEG
pie Will agree with them in this respect
and most people watch their progress with
bated breaths until they safely ovel
the last obstacle.
Methods of Betting.
The members of the Metropolitan Tur
Association, commonly known as book
makers will not be molested, II is under
stood. tomorrow and throughout the comm.
meet OF the Washington Jockey Club a
Benning, provided they confine their opera
lions to taking bets on the races within tn,
limit fixed by the decision Of Justice Stat
ford in the District Supreme Court las
fall. Betting on the races. as conducted a
the last fall meeting. will be in vogue, 1t II
expected. at the coming meet.
Although District Attorney Baker decline,
TO be interviewed, ii is understood that
representative of his Office will be at tn,
race track tomorrow to note the method
pursued In betting and will report 10 hi.
chief Tuesday morning. Should the book
tea attempt TO set up a ring or fixed plac,