The Washington herald., 1908-03-28

In spite Of the slice of June that by
some accident Of the weather man slipped
over into March yesterday. the throng at
Benning race track was considerably
smaller than on the day previous, prob
ably owing to the disgust felt by many Of
the people who would otherwise patronize
the sport, at being compelled to hobnob
and rub elbows with the gang of toughs,
touts and bookmakers runners that
crowd the space in front of the grand
stand
The clubhouse was well patronized, and
here and there were several weI-known
society people who occupied the lawn and
the trim veranda, and were. fortunately
for themselves. divided by heavy railing
from the raee-traek followers Of outland-
fish names.
The touch of summer In the air and the
glorious sunshine had impelled many of
the fair sex 10 don light and pretty cos
tunes. and the gowns of the women gave
the scene an air Of festive gayety that
was not wholly fictitious. Unfortunately
there were in and about the grand stand
a number of the women who are always
to be found where the professional race
track habitues are gathered. and these,
being Of class that travel light, were in
cloth gowns of more or less sober hues
and seemed to be a little uncomfortable
from the unexpected heat
Bookies' Victims Plentiful.
About the usual number Of booknakers
We're in line yesterday afternoon and each
peripatetic shark was kept busy by the
crowd of eager guessers; each hoping
that his own guess was best. and that the
other fellows would prove the victims.
As it was there were victims enough. and
the bookmakers were kept so busy taking
in the cash of washingtonians-goo cash,
only small percentage of which. now
that it has changed hands, will ever be
spent in Washington where it was earned
that there was mighty little of that
moving around which is deemed an es-
sental thing in evading the gambling
laws that are on the statute books.
There was a large force Of Pinkerton
men on hand and some policemen, be-
sides a force of special Jockey Club pa
trOmen. and once in a while some official
would pass along the line, scan the odds
that Were on the boards and mildly sug-
geSt that il would be a good thing 10
Move along a Bit boys
The boys couldn't move much as
their patrons hemmed them in, but a
shift from one leg to the other seemed
satisfactory compliance with the or
ders issued.
Layers Have Good Day.
1t must have been rather a good day
for the boys" too. They came back
from the track as they went therein
carriages and automObiles-and many OF
them brought back feminine guests with
them. The men and women of Washing
ton and vicinity who had pitted their
guesses against the men whose profession
is living by their wits. came back on the
street cars.
There We're other signs about the prin-
cipal hotels last evening that it had been
lucky day for the professional gamblers
They We're much in evidence in the cafes
of the principal hotels-they and the fair
ones-and lest there should be any doubt
that they We're in town and had plenty
Of money they talked loud so that all
might hear them. and they drank cham
pagne.
And if. around the cafes and the cor
TidOrs and parlors Of respectable hotels
these bookmaking gentry were much in
evidence: and if there was at times a
rather ostentatious display of rolls Of vel
low bills. and talk a bit louder and a
trifie huskier than usual. and if the rner
stared a bit impertinently at any lady
who CHANGED 10 pass-why il was all in
the game.
1t is part of the noble sport Of bettine
HH.a
of II all was so apparent that the re-
spectacle people of Washington had ample
warning TO remain away until the city Is
clean again.
Public Is Hard Hit
The form players went up against a
hard game in the shape of five defeated
favorites
John Madden's Court Lady was the only
successful first choice. She was coupled
with Chaperon. at to 3. and the pair
started in the second race for maiden
twO-year-old hllies. W. H. Mosby's Ara
lie, 15-tO-1 shot. raced on practically
even terms with Court Lady until the
home stretch was reached. when Shaw
put up vigorous ride, and Court Lady
managed to win by half length Samuel
and Lucille R. were both supposed good
things, but they got nothing
Three horses. including Dr. Lee. to 5
favorite, took a tumble in the first race
their jockeys escaping without serious In
jury This event was at five and one.
half furlongs, and Tommy Burns took DR.
Lee to the front when the gate went UP
With lead Of several lengths, Dr. Lee
rushed into the home stretch. but he sud.
denly crossed his legs and went down
Following him closely was Coincidence
who also fell in the mix-up, Kemptor
taking a header. too. Mcdaniel ther
steered clear Of the tangle, and took the
race by a safe margin. Bergoo. a 60-to-l
shot, beat Thomas Hoy. 1OO-to-1 shot, q
head for the place.
Woodlands Defeat a Blow.
Much money was lost on Woodlane
backed down to 10 10, in the third rae,
for mares She cut out the pace for more
than half mile. when Mccarthy got
buoy on Goes Fast, the latter winning IL
a hard drive from Woodlane. with Azure
Maid three lengths away.
Whitley Langdon headed another losins
plunge on his colt Call Boy. in the fourth
race. Call Boy was backed down to ever
money, but he got a weak ride from
Burns. Richmond Duke made nearly al
the running. and beat Call Boy in q
drive by half a length. Tamme was third
Sam H. Harris. backed down to TO
in the fifth race. for platers at seven fur
longs. proved another pitfall for the
talent as Park Row, overlooked at . tC
J. made show Of the others, and rolled
home with lots 70 spare. Harris was ir
The place with Panique third, length
back