The Washington times., 1934-05-14

how the Preakness was run.
That great race, named for
famous race horse, has been
talked of and speculated on for
weeks. Everyone thought that
Cavalcade surely would win it,
and even after it was over one
couldn't tell until the numbers
went up who had won, High
Quest or Cavalcade. But the
judges knew-and the pictures
that were taken show that High
Quest won by barely q nose.
! THE Preakness Day" is a
great sight to see, the lovely
track and the whole place
packed with gayly dressed. eager
people. You watch them from
the stands and the club house
and it is very interesting. but to
really see them-the intent, in
terested, absorbed crowd-you
have to go to the infield and
look across at them. 1t is lovely
to stand off and watch that
bright, gayly dressed mass and
enjoy them, as well as the horses
and the races.
I am crazy about q crowd.
They are always so happy and
cheerful and in good humor,
talking and friendly to everyone.
I like to imagine and speculate
on the different people.
There is no way of knowing
II what you think of them is
true-but it probably is. ANY,
way a crowd Of jolly happy
people is the most interesting
thing in the world, and that is
what Pimilco had at the Freak
ness.
T The first Preakness was run
In 1873 for a purse of $1,000.
The forty-fourth running in 1884,
was run for a purse of $25, 900.
The purse has been as much as
$4,000. The attendance kept
pace with the purse as far as
growing. The mass of people at
Pimlico Saturday was bewilder-
ing. The entire place was packed
and jammed. I tried several
times to place a bet but gave it
UP on account of the crush.
Maybe it was just as well for my
pocketbook, as I am a long shot
better and yesterday every favo-
rite walked in winner except
High Quest. He put the sur
prise into the crowd.
I sat near Mrs. Dodge Sloane
and beside my own excitement
I think I must have absorbed
some of hers. She was really
: wild" with the thrill of the
race.
She has brought some friends
to Baltimore with her in her
private car, Mr.. and Mrs.
Harris from Tuxedo. Mr.. and
Mrs. Gaines Gwathney of
Long Island, Mrs. Deering
Howe, Mrs. Allen Ryan and
doc" Holden, Douglas Page
and Hal Phipps. Excitement
was waxing high among them
all. They had made up a
''pool' on the way down from
New York which Mrs. Gwath-
mey won and they all had
bets on the big race.
Besides posing for photog-
raphers, answering questions,
and speaking on the radio,
Mrs. Sloan also was a perfect
hostess and thoughtful of her
guests pleasure and comfort.
The party sat in her box and
the Jeffords box next door,
and were taken to and from
the track in three limousineS.
I When the bugle blew for
the horses to walk out onto
the track a feeling Of tenseness
ran over the whole stand. It
really was a most impressive
sight. The owners had outdone
themselves to fit their jockeys
out in lovely new "colorS" and
the horses themselves looked
fit as fiddles.
Cavalcade had M. Garner
UP in Mrs. Sloane's white and
cross sashes of blue-High
Quest had Jones up in the
same. colorS. The caps were
different, one being blue and
one white.
It was the most thrilling
moment you can possibly imag-
Inc when those two horses in
the same colors came in al
most together. I was sitting
q little to the right of the win
ming post and I could have
sworn that they were neck and
neck, when they came in, but
High Quest won from that
horse that had won the re-
nowned Derby. It was a STIR
ring moment and I think every
body had a double heart beat
about it.
After the race Mrs. Sloane
went down to the judges stand
to receive the cup. It was a
tremendous thing, and very or
nate. The base consisted Of
race saddles and jockey caps.
Then above that brood mares
and foals, above that the
angel Of speed holding laurel
wreaths, above that the etched
portraits and names Of former
winners and topping the lid of
the cup a model Of a beautiful
race horse all ready to go onto
the track.