The Detroit times., 1913-08-12
Remainder of Blue Ribbon Meet
ing Will See Big Improvement
on First Day
POP GEERS WILL BE ON
TRACK FROM NOW ON. TOO
Chamber of Commerce STAKE
Scheduled for Today, Promises
Much Class
BY RALPH L. YoNKER.

Bette rhine and petteT CVheS9IS
than were shown at the Hue RIBBON
Grand Circuit meeting yesterday the
first OF the meet, are expected for the
remainder OF the week.
AS n starter Mondays program hlled
the bill. but there was neither any
startling time made and only one read
horse race, the Board OF Commerce
stake for 2: l6 PAGERS, which Went hVe
heats before Margot Hal was declared
the winner by virtue of taking the last
Hwo, second in the second and tnlru
land fifth place in the first.
The other three races on the pro
gram went TO the favorites without
.struggle. Dillon Axworthy had no dill
$Rculty in leading the three-year-oiu
nrptters in two straight heats. I1lle
ripton haaded the procession OF three
Sear-old PAGERS in the Matron stake
kand Lord Dewey won the 2l6 not
shandily
The fastest mile of the day was
that paced by Holly Brand In the
second heat of the 2:16 pace, when
the gelding did the distance in 2:OS IA
to beat the ultimate winner, Margot
Hal, to first place.
The famous Matron stakes furnish
ed the feature Of the day, drawing
especial attention from the breeders
throughout the land who are most In
terested in the colt events. There
yseemer little dolbt, however. at any
time as TO the winner which lessen
ed the interest.
The general public Is not as en-
thusiastic about such events as the
Ht~IrA hn
however and in spite OF fine weather
for spectators and the promise OF
fine track( II failed To turn out 10
send the racers off on opening day in
real style Only a fair crowd was
present There was not the usual
crowd beneath the grand stand either
to pass over the green or yellow for
the penciled tickets. Less money was
bet on the races and on the heats than
usual
But starting today there will be an
improvement in everything, weather
permitting Yesterdays rather cool
breeze, while comfortable for the
spectators. was little too raw for
the pleasure of the horsemen. who be-
lieve that their pets could have done
better time with little warmer
weather The track was in good
shape, but was inclined 70 get dusty
and needed constant sprinkllng be-
tween heats.
The Chamber OF Commerce stake,
the feature of today's evets, a $4,000
stake for the 2:13 PAGERS, three in
five heats, will show a lot of speed
today unless the dopesters are away
Off in their predictions. II is figured
that Leata j.. the probable favorite.
will have to do as well as 2:03 in or
der to take first money. Stretbrino
Lad and Frank Bogash. Jr.. are good
enough to make Leata J. go better
than 2:04
A record for the stake set today
would not be surprising Minor Heir
driven by Charles Dean. in 1908. holds
the present mark Of 2:03. The winner
or today's race is more than likely
to have to break that record Last
year Joe Patchen III. came within
quarter of a second OF equaling IT,
Besides this stake race the 210
trot and the 20' pace promised some
fast time. Etawah, the Geers entry
in the former, a wonderful colt, Will
rare against the aged horses. In the
2:O6 pace. Knight Onwardo. recently
purchased by Fred Fowler. OF this
city, Will make his first appearance
on Detroit track as the property OF
his new owner
For Wednesday the great Merchants
and Manufacturers $4,000 stake for
2:24 trotters is the feature. This is
accorded probably as much interest
as any similar stake race on the grand
: circuit. and Is the biggest feature OF
the week
For those who like speed among the
best aged horses on the circuit. the
free-fcr-alls. Thursday and Friday. fur.
nish the excitement. The PAGERS will
race Thursday, and the trotters Fri
day.
For the rest OF the week. also be-
sides the better races which may be
expected, there will be an added at
traction in the appearance OF Pop"
Geers, the dean OF the drivers. Pop"
didn't have a heat 10 drive, YESTERDAY
and the usual applause that the old
man from Tennessee gets when he
lunches over his horse as ne logs past
the grandstand. or as he eases his
horse into the lead at the stretch. was
missing.
Some OF the greatest drivers OF the
country were on hand. Tommy Muir
ply and Walter Cox and w. l.. Snow
and Mcdonald and Rodney were there.
but even these don't get the attention
that old Pop" does
Det. Opera House, Gao vndis aft. and
evE.--Ady