Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-10
PROFITS OF RACE
meet WILL GO TO
the RED CROSS
Harness Horses and Runners to
Battle at Benson Track for
S4,500 in Stakes and
Purses.
By Russell PHELPS.

OHahh iVi0N IdNHlS oNdopll VIII
be formally ushered in this week with
patriotic meeting at the Benson
track, under the auspices OF the Oma-
ha Driving club, Every cent above
actual expenses is to be donated to
the Red Cross by the driving club.
| With decent weather and loyal sup
port on the part of Omaha horse fans,
sports lovers and patriotic devotees
of the greatest game of 'em all, driv-
ing club officials hope to turn over
several thousand dollars to the or
ganization which is playing so I'M
portant part in humanitys war
Profits to Red Cross.
The organization, composed of
prominent Omaha business men and
sportsmen, which is giving the three
days program of harness and run
ming races, Tuesday, Wednesday and
Thursday, does not want to make
single penny of profit out of the af-
fair.
Horsemen and hackers OF clean-cut,
exciting, red-blooded sport are boost
ing for record breaking crowds be-
cause they want the Red Cross to
: add as much as possible to its war
Golfers. Every ticket purchased
they're only 50 cents each, emitting
the holder to grandstand seat-will
help buy bandages for some wounded
soldier, or aid the Red Cross in the
thousand one one ways in which they
make such excellent use of its funds.
Real Patriotic Atmosphere.
The driving park will be profusely
decorated with flags and the national
colors and band will play patriotic
airs between heats. Every convent
ence has been provided for the COM
fort OF racing patrons-rest rooms for
the ladies, parking spaces for auto
mobiles, commodious, advantageously
located stands and courteous attend
ants.
Above all, the driving club guaran-
tees metropolitan horse racing and a
meeting absolutely free from all OBJ
jectionable features.
Besides ringing up the curtain on
the seasons racing, the Omaha meet
ing on the Nebraska Speed association
loop will bring together the greatest
galaxy of harness and running stars
ever assembled on middle western
track for June events.
Big Fields to Start.
Between us and 200 speedy har-
ness horses and runners are slated
to start scores of them animals which
have been big and consistent purse
winners on the leading tracks OF the
country
A total of more than $4,500 is Of
fered in stakes and purses, about
$4,000 for harness horses and $500 for
runners. Boots and saddle events are
to be revived in Omaha after a year
Of exclusive sulky racing
Thrills galore are looked for when
the rangy running horses, which ar
rived in Omaha Friday from the
Aurora meet are sent away by the
starter.
Famous Jockey Here.
Spectators will have an opportun-
ity to see one of the greatest Jockeys
this country has produced, ride in the
running events. Jimmy Reese, who
tens years ago was close to being
king OF jockeys as any man who ever
pulled on boot, is here with a string
from New Orleans.
Jimmy" retains his old pep and
gamcness and outside of little extra
weight is as good as ever He is CAM
paignlng some runners over western
tracks, preparatory to taking in the
big running meetings in the east and
south.
The first days running even will
be three-eights of mile, the second
days three-fourths of mile and the
third day all even mile. There will be
three monies for each event-o0, 80
and 10 per cent.
Good Opening Program.
Tuesdays, the opening day, pro.
gram looks exceptionally good in both
harness and running events.
Peggy c., daughter of Onstanley,
is easily the class of the big field in
the 2:l7 pace. Barring accidents she
should win.
The 2:20 trotting class looks like
an open race, but it's all odds on bet
that Of the steppers who will dart un-
der the wire first these four will fig
ure prominently: Governor ", by
Governor Francis; Brady, by Motel;
George S, by Gomoko; Star Kay, by
Burning Star.
A couple going colts by Colorado
E.-Miss Colorado and E. Colorado
shouldn't have much trouble in grab
bing the big end of the money in the
3-year-old trotting class. \
Society To Turn Out.
Two-thirds of the boxes for the
three days races have been sold to
Omaha society folks and big turn
out of the Nebraska metropolis 400"
is expected.
F. D. Van Pelt. might good
starter, when the dricers don't get his
goat, and satisfactory one even if
they do, will get them away. .
Ed Curtin, all Iowan, president Of
the Great Western circuit, of which
the Omaha Driving club is a member,
will be presiding Judge.
Omaha's Associated Judges.
c. M. Buck and E. L. Whitehead
of Omaha are to be associate judges.
Mr.. Whitehead, formerly prominent
horseman in Louisville, Ky, recently
moved to Omaha. He is the owner of
Flower Direct, a famous 2:03A
PAGER.