The Washington herald., 1907-03-25

Nearly everybody In Washington who
loves the horse was at Benning yesterday.
and the local crowd was largely re-en-
forced by the throngs Of New Workers
who have been drifting into the city for
the last Two or three weeks. big train
load came in on the Cavanaugh Special
last night. and Pennsylvania avenue
looked like small section Of Broadway.
There are more horsemen in town at this
time than probably ever came here to at
tend a spring meeting at the local course
The track was visited not only by the
crowd OF raee-goers who technically are
known as regulars, but there were
hundreds of women vito watched the
trials of the horses with apparently as
much interest as the men. The fine
weather gave them an opportunity TO
anticipate next Sunday. and many of
them took advantage of ii to don their
Easter frocks TIE result was the course
looked like Epson Downs must look on
the day presiding the Derby.
At the hotels last night turfmen more
or less known to fame thronged the lob
bies, and all were anxious 10 hear the
bugle call the FIRST field to the post, this
afternoon at O'Clock, which opens the
regular Eastern racing season.
To the jockey who rides the winner
ana to the owner and trainer of the vim
ming horse trophies viii be given to eele-
bTate the beginning of the racing year.
Jockey Miller said last night that he in
tended TO take the cup Back to New York
with him, but there were other riders who
were equally positive that the marvel
was mistaken. All the boys are eager 20
have the honor OF capturing the first race
of the season, for whoever does VIII con
slider that lac is of on the right foot for
the jockey race of the year.
Prominent Turfmen Here.
To see the well-knowa horsemen at the
track yesterday ono might easily have
been persuaded that 1t was the height OF
the racing season in New York Nearly
all the prominent turfmon who can be
seen at the metropolitan tracks are here
10 witness the opening. ard the layers OF
odds include a majority of those who viii
be in the big rings around New York
the coming summer. There seems to be
no anxiety felt about interference on the
part Of the District authorities with tlc
betting. Rather are those who intend to
wager their money more anxious about
the winner of the first race. There Were
all sorts OF tips for this event Hast night
and If all OF the horses run as well as
their respective trainers claim they will
the finish will be a dead heat IN which a
half dozen or more will participate.
The track was in excellent shape yes
teTday. and from early in the morning
until long past noon the thOToughbreds
were on the track. John r. Madden had
his two crack racers. Salvidcre and Dan
deiion, out for ia smart spin. the two
working together a mile. Dandeh0n had
a shade the best C. the trial. but neither
horse was pushed.
The best move of the day was by The
Clown who Travelled seven fuTlongs In
1:33, and did il easily. This colt has i'm
proved a great deal over winter. though
he has not grown much. He ought TO win
a race before the meetrg is over. how
ever, and in good company at that The
popular local horse. Bobbie Kean, owned
by c. c. Smithson. was also shown on
the track, and stepped "a half in 0:52
B0bbie looks much better than when he
went into winter quarters last fall and
if looks do not belle him he viii be as
good a horse the coming summer as he
was last. Unless he breaks down or gets
sick It is any odds he wins at Benning
before the meeting is far advanced.
GraziaIIo First Choice.
Trainers and racegoers alike discussed
the probable winner of the Spring Handl-
cap to-day. II seemed to be the con-
sensus of opinion that Gfaziailo looked
to have the best chance at the weights.
and the layers who like to speculate in
advance would not offer more than 2lz
TO ] against the Rapullo horses chances.
Even this was taken by some. and con
sidered a good price though. With the
big field that is carded. the betting should
be good against all the starters. With
Miller in the saddle, however, Graziallo
Will. doubtless. be the favorite. and there
viii be big play on him. Okenite's
chances are not SO well thought Of as
they were few days ago. but II Il should
rain before the rtce IS run L would i'm
prove his chances very much, Ms the Bel
mont three-year-Old rs much better
horse in soft going than he IS on "a dry
track or. nj least. me was last season
There was much talk yesterday of a
dark horse in Gunston. locally owned, but
those who know this horses form did not
Took seriously upon him, even though he
worked faster than any OF the probabls
starters. The race is bound 10 be an
interesting one, whichever horse wins.
and unless all signs fail. or the weather
is extremely unfavOrdbc the opening
this afternoon will b. one OF the most
successful in the history of the local
Jockey Club.
Some of the best jockeys in America
viii be seen in the saddle at Benning
Walter Miller, the champion rider, will
be under contract to Trainer William
Garth for the meeting. and win be in
operation to-day. Garth also has control
of Herman Radtke. who viii ride for the
first time since be was suspended at
Jamaica last fall
With these crack jockeys Garth. who
has a smashing good stable. viii prob
ably be worth following He will have
charge OF a millionaire's string. that cf
Paul J. Rainey, OF Cleveland, which in
cludes the star three-year-olds De AIund
and Horace E. Other jockeys that will
ride at Benning are Mcdaniel, who did
we'll all winter at Los Angeles. and Noun
tain, who recently piloted Yankee Girl 10
victory in the City Park Derby.
Inquisitor Is Well Liked.
New York. March 24-While Roseben
and Horace Z. have both been tipped as
probable winners of the Carter Handi-