The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-01-25
BY PAUL HARRISON

Miami, Fla-Knowing shame fully little of Florida, your corres- pondent Is able to report only that Hialeah park, where the horses run, is very beautiful indeed. So beautiful that 1t becomes a pleas use to lose one's money there.
 My greatest thrill on the excur- sion was in riding up the Avenue of Palms-royal palms-I'm told, discovered by Indians and extri- cated from the deepest Everglades at fabulous cost per tree. For that matter, everything about the establishment is little incredible the size and luxury of clubhouse and stand, the immaculate expan- ses of turf, the flowers, the pink fiamingoes in the lake in the center of the track, especially the crowds.
 Your correspondent has devoted some cursory study to the fauna hereabout, but has learned all too little about horses. In other words, can't pick a winner. When followed the betting odds is de- veloped that the favorites were favorites only because of the mis- guided attention of a few thous- and novices like myself. When took the advice of touts 1t became clear that even race tipster must, occasionally, have his little joke. When I went to the paddock and personally inspected the mounts in the next race. I selected a sinewy bay gelding with flashing eyes. Soon enough I discovered that the nag's eyes were flashing with indignation at the idea that his jockey expect CT him to run at all.
 Cast of Characters
 The people were less disappoint- ing. I discovered flesh and blood image of Mapor Hoople who was telling a little circle of disinterest- ed visitors about the blooded horses he used to own. Then there was the old man in the wheel chair who became almost apoplectic with ex- citement with every shout Of They're off" The doll-like blonde. who favored one entry because the cherubic little jockey was "just too sweet". The little old lady, tumb- ling a sheaf of bills and avidly computing her chances on a racing form. The smart little rich boy who said: Don't be silly, mother; that horse hasn't been in money since September. He's got bad feet"
 The tense silence of the crowd along the rail before the English saddling stalls. The critical scrutiny by people who wish to appear very wise. The intent, sober-faced jock eys; the easy-mannered grooms: the nervous owners. The colorful spectacle of the parade to paddock and track. The studying odds on the amazing totalizer board: the widespread exchange of opinions and Hnside dope"
 The last-minute rush for the windows where all kinds and prices of tickets are sold. The bugfes; the parade to the post: the start; the screams of the fat man who holds a 2 ticket on the favorite to show.The surprise finish; the con- certed numbling of a thousand people: T had a notion to bet on that horse, but" The torn tickets hundreds of thousands of dol- lars worth of tickets-littcring the green turf. Each ticket a loss sometimes only with a twinge of disappointment, sometimes a wrench of despair.
 The people in the clubhouse.-- celebrated folk of society and fn- ance and sport. Vanderbilts. Whit neys, Stotesburys. Sanfords, Fire stones. Gimbles and the rest. Jo- seph p. Widener. president of this establishment and of beautiful Bell mont park in New York. Mrs Isa- bel Dodge Sloane. proud owner of the famous Cavalcade and the Brookmeade stable. Col P. R. Brad ley, frequent derby winner and own CT of the Beach club, the casino at Palm Beach.