The Washington times., 1912-04-28
KINGS SPORT IS
STILL POPULAR
Enthusiastic Spectators Ae nd Curtain Raiser Pimco
Society Well Represented Among the Throng-Wash-
ingtonians Attend in Full Force

BALTIMORE. April S.-The opening
at Pimlico yesterday amply demon
strated that the sport of kings still has
strong hold in the land OF its early
triumphs.
Despite the fact that rain fell almost
up to the moment that the first race
was called one of the biggest crowds
ever seen at the track turned out. and
every available vantage point was
crowded. Grandstand, boxes. quarter
stretch, and betting ring alike were
filled to their utmost capacity.
AS is always the case at Pimlico. the
opening day was a great society event,
and the representative leaders of the
smart set of the town were out in full
force. Washington, Philadelphia, and
New York contributed a considerable
quota to the swells. and added much
to the general gayety.
The tall form of Senator Ollie James
OF Kentucky was very much in evi-
dence during the afternoon as he
piloted a bunch of Congressman around
the grounds. Take 1t all in all, II was
a distinguished turnout, and one hardly
to be seen on a racetrack in this coun-
try away from Old Pimlico.
Interesting Throughout.
The racing was full of interest from
the first number to the very close, and
the big crowd was kept on edge to the
finish.
The fields were very evenly matched,
and each eevnt was hotly contested. A
number of surprises were in order, but
that was natural enough in a spring
meeting. where the form Of many of
the contenders is an unknown quantity.
There were no such one e-sided affairs
as was the case in seasons past when
the Hildreth tracks were sweeping all
before them, and odds on favorites were
scarce. The speculative public in nearly
every case got bountiful returns for
its wisdom in locating the winners.
Perhaps the bigSes: surprise OF the
afternoon came in the fifth race, for
two-year-olds, when the crack colt Lib
erty Hall. from the Davies stable, was
taken into camp by BILLY" Garth s
likely Fatherless filly Lace, which was
making her first appearance before the
starter.
Mr.. Garth has all along contended
that Lace was of stake caliber and the
best youngster he had handled for many
years. The critics who were inclined to
lndl TIC NlI5illdH was
overenthusiastic were confounded yes
terday, as Lace made good to the full
est
The flly won like a real good one,
keeping close TO the hot pace set by
Ethelberg II and coming away at the
head of the stretch to finish with some
thine In reserve.
Liberty Hall is slow beginner and
that worked very much to his disad-
vantage in the race. He was outran by
Ethelberg ii and Lace in the early
stages and when he closed at the head
of the stretch and attempted to come
through on the rail, was shut of by the
pace maker.
The colt was pulled to the outside and
was going strong at the end. In another
doubtful, however, II he could have
overhauled the winner, even II he had
been allowed plain sailing.
The winner Is now the property oi
Colonel Parr, VINO purchased the Ally
from MIR. Garth \ few days ago. Right
after the race the clever trainer took q
check fer neat sum from his pocket
and said TO q crowd of friends who
we're congratulating him
Here is the check / got for thai
fily."
TIE tone in which he made the re.
mark indicated that he wished Colone
I,2rr had the check and he had the
filly back.
Lace is entered in tie Clabaugh AM
iusI at the present time II is hard tc
see who is going to beat her.
About the happiest man on the
grounds Yesterday was W. VI. Carter
who trains the RYAN stable. Mr.. Carter
! ;S Il modest Young Virginian. who madt
his entrance into the guild OF trainers