The Sentinel=record., 1917-03-31

Q1sseX Park, beautiful course in the Essex valley came into it's own again yesterday when racing was re-inaugu- rated for the first time within twe've years. All nature smiled in unison with the re-opening of the popular sport there. The skies were cloud less, the atmosphere was delightful. the fresh green of springtime had cropped out from neigh boring hills land dells and the infield course with ifs tender growth of wheat waved re- fire shingly in the light breezes. The crowd was the kind of race crowd that come from racing in a resort a happy light-hearted gathering of folks at outing, enjoying everything offered in the line of entertainment.
 The clubhouse at the luncheon hour was filled with society folks, and there was an evening dinner served to various groups after the racing that tested the capacity of the club quarters, commodious as they are.
 As on the opening day at Oaklawn, a general holiday was enjoyed by | towns people as well as visitors, and there were perhaps two hundred au- tomobiles gathered about the lawns of the club before the bugler called the horses for the first race.- -.' / l The racing was splendid. Old Rose bud, the pride of the Applegates of Kentucky and with Jockey Peak a Hot Springs product aboard. was made /the favorite in the feature -1eyent. the Harry A. Jones Handicap Old Rosebud was much the best evoG with the 13opound impost, but Jockey Peak was a little over confi- dent as the field came down the stretch and he was open lengths iH front, for he eased up the big horse for fraction of a second. Coming up fast on the outside, was Little String. and with Jockey Lyke riding as he always does, with enthusiasm and yigor. Gradually he was overtak- ing the lead old Rosebud had, until at the wire the winner was but q head in front
 Judge Fitzgerald, the presiding judge of the course, introduced some methods new to the South. Instead of remaining in the judges stand as others have done who have offCiated here, Judge Fitzgerald goes between races to the paddock, where he per sonally looks over things, and where he sees that everything goes well. He talks to the owners and to the boys, and he keeps in such close touch with eyery detail of the game, and there is absolutely nothing that escapes his notice. His work as a presiding of licial was revelation yesterday to those who observed how close he keeps in touch with everything.
 The management of Essex yester- day after the racing announced with enthusiasm their appreciation of the cooperation the people of Hot Springs had given 10 reinaugurate rae. ing at their plant under such splen- did conditions. MT Charles Smith, of Chicago. speaking for the Essex Park Association, said last night
 "The crowd that attended the opep ing of course was mos, Cratifym- w were called on nnumerable umet during the day by some of the most prominent business and profe siOnal men in the city and received their l congratulations. and for such helpful
 cooperation We are duly appreaiatiye We want 10 add our part toward making racing a sport to be conducted | above the breath of suspicion. and on such a scale as will merit the ap l probation of even the severest critic, and We can be assured of this end i ahen We have such hearty eo-opera- ton from the business men of Hot springs"
 Mayor Dr !. w McClendon was particularly pleased with the splen 1 dor of the re-establishment of racing at Essex Park Some years ago when the famous McGuigan home was old Mayor McClendon was the pur chaser and he has used that beauti. ful site for some time as a summer home. At that place have been stabled such turf notables as lAdv lnez. Ben Elder. Bannockbun and other names that will live in turf l history forever.
 Essex Park is naturally a beautt' 1 full course" said Mayor McClendon. The surroundings are beautiful and there is a social side of the sport here that makes it most popular with all patrons I have never seen a