Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1920-09-17
Ak-Sar-Ben
RacesDraW7
Yesterdays Turf Events Wit
messed by Largest Crowd on
Record at Such Occasions
Day Ideal.
Betting Runs Strong

Yesterday was perhaps the biggest
day of horse racing and carnival at
tendance in Omaha's history. The
largest crowd that has ever attended
a race meet in this city was on
hand at the new Ak-Sar-Ben track
early in the afternoon to witness the
third days turf events. The carnival
company, when it closed it's doors
after the midnight hour. reported
the second days attendance more
than $500.
Long before the races were sched-
uled to start, the crowd began pour
ing into the new grandsxand. The
third days racing events was the
besHstaged thus far during the
meet. Every race was neck-and-
neck affair.
Charlie Trimble. who has charge
of the meet, said last night that
more than 1900 persons attended
the days turf events. The great
grandstand, while not completed,
was filled to the top, more than
$500 persons viewing the races from
the structure.
Perfect Day for Racing.
1t was perfect day as far as
weather conditions were concerned.
The track was in excellent condi-
ton and the races were up to the
standard of the events staged at
the Grand Circuit. Auto poloists
provided plenty of thrills for the
spectators and airplanes swooped
low over the grandstand and track.
A Blue Star company ship" nose
dived and looped, the loop in full
view of the big crowd.
The Shrine band, with Oscar
Lieben leader, provided music for
the afternoon.
Nmerous vaudeville stunts added
to the attractions, while the horses
were taking their final workouts
before the race. Dan Buffers sprink-
ler wagon sprayed the track with
hundreds of gallons of water.
The mule race was staged be-
tween the scheduled harness events,
and as on the previous day, Kept the
spectators in laughter from start to
finish.
Davidson Wins Mule Race.
]. F. Davidson won first place in
the mule race, and after the last
Missouri trotter had crossed the
wire, Mr.. Davidson piloted his
charger to the judges stand where
he was presented with Glowing
cup" which turned out to be moth
ing but an ordinary water" pitcher
wrapped in tinfoil.
The featufe race of the afternoon
was the free-for-all between Single
G, driven by Ed Allen; Johnny
Quirk, piloted by Fred Eagan, and
Hal Malone, an Omaha horse, with
Marvin Childs in the sulky. Single
9 won the event, which was for
81 ,200 purse. n
During the recess between races,
the most popular place was under
the huge grandstand where the bet
ting machines were in operation Of
ficials, in charge of the machines re-
ported that yesterdays business was
the largest thus far in the meet.
Women also played a part in the
days betting and on some 'occa-
sions when big race was on the
boards appeared to be more inter-
ested than the men.
Richard Steher was among the
lucky ones who cashed a s.
Straight ticket at the end of the
second heat in the 2:12 trot for
$l04.40. Stehr placed his money on
Grace Corning, driven by Owens,
to take the heat. s
Several other dark horses" ap-
peared on the track yesterday and
upset the betting dope
The last days harness and run
ming races will be staged this after
noon. Auto races, with some of the
country's best dirt track drivers,
will be held Saturday afternoon
when the racing meet will be
brought to a close.