The Washington herald., 1909-05-14

New York. Nay I3.-Cnless the condi-
uons that prevailed at Belmont Park to-
day are changed unexpectedly. racing will
live
That was the verdict Of nearly 5000
enthusiastic men and women who saw
the racing season opened at the mag
nihcent track in Nassau County. The
law, as Interpreted BY the courts and en-
forced by Sheriff Foster and his deputies.
permitted a certain amount OF oral bet
ting between individuals. with absolutely
no display OF cash at any time and no
recording Of transactions. as far as could
be seen.
small number OF men who were for
merly bOOkmakers were on hand with
their clerks who were supposed 10 have
memOrized the details OF wageTs ac-
Cepted on credit. But there was no at
tempt at bookmaking. no posting Of odds.
no audible offers 10 make or lay wagers,
and a complete absence Of tangible eyi-
dence that gambling Of any kind was
going on.
Betting on the Lawn.
used 10 handle thousands Of dollars. was
empty but the lawn in front was Gov
eres with persons whO whispered in one
another's ears and evidently did not care
10 allow strangers 10 overhear them. The
most important feature OF this gathering
al the trackside was the freedom en-
Joyed by the racegoers. Things passed
on so quietly that the crowd went home
much encouraged as TO the future Of the
sport
Not man CT woman passed the Pink
ertons on free badge. Everybody
stepped up 70 the box Offices and paid
good money 70 go through the turnstlles.
including $50 society people. who paid an
extra 5 fee 10 see the races Nearly
$40 put Up cash amounting 10 more than
800 in gross receipts. II Has said.
Madden COIOrs Victorious.
Ihe racing vas. in part. a distinct tn
unph for John z. Madden. His famou.
colors we're twice carried 70 victory by
the three-year-oId hly, Lady Bedford
and the twO-year-Old colt. Newmarket
while King James, Who won the & 90
Metropolitan Handicap. vas bred BY
Madden al Hamburg Place Incidentally
Fayette, Madden's crack three-year-old
colt, ran second 70 King James. while
The Wizard got third money in tha
first race with Miss Kearnev second
money in the second with Hanpron
Court. and third money In the third with
Naughty Boy. On the face OF THIS
achievement the impression gained
strength that the Madden racing estab-
Hshme1t this year looks decidedly for
midable
There were eleven starters IN the Met
ropOlitan with George Odoua's Nimbus
added King James. carrying TOP weight.
70 pounds, and running in S c. HiIdreth- s
name, was the favOrite, with Fayette and
M Belmonts Half Sovereign second
choices Juggler. Don Creole. and Mar
Davis each had a following Ny. Keene's
IUrncO3t was also fancied.
Field Given Good Start.
Starter Cassidy sent the field away 10
e perfect start Nimbus. close IN the
rail, broke of at a fast clip. and showed
the way with small margin over King
James, Mary Davis. Half Sovereign and
Fayette for nearly half a mile
Then King James, cleverly ridden by
Guy Burns. shot into the lead. and when
he reached the head Of the stretch he
began 10 draw away in great style Nc
InJyTe went after him with Fave-ts
under drive. But King James. with
much in reserve. breezed home with eight
lengths 10 spare His share Of the stake
was $500 Fayette ran second with two
lengths over JuggIer. who was whipped
10 beat Mary Davis three parts OF
length for third money. Turncoat and
Nimbus were not far away. Gowan
broke badly IN the run up the back
stretch. and Bergen dismounted.
When King James came back IA tri-
umph 70 the scales he received an ova-
ton.
Exciting SteepIechaSe.
The New York Steeplechase. at about
two miles. provided a spectacular race
The result was in doubt Up TO the last
jump. which Bartlett McLennan's Agent
and Robert NeviIle's Sir Wooster took
simultaneously. Then Agent. under pun
ishment. gradually drew away 10 win
by a length
Lady Bedford won the first race Of the
year in a dash Of six fUTlOngs. Joe Mad
den was the favOrite in Hildreth's colors. I