Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1960-02-13
Glass Enclosure
Is Big Success;
Ira EukerChoice
BY JOSEPH B. KELLY
Star Racing Editor


by 10 per cent seemed to be
grossly underestimate as the
Southern Maryland track pre-
pared for a crowd of $4,000
today in the wake of yester-
days booming inaugural. This
IN spite of a snow forecast.
Originally a crowd of 10000
was expected for today, but
predictions of a possible snow
storm in this area cut this to
$4,000.
Stranded in 1858
The track was alerted to the
possibility of snow and a re-
peat of the February Is, 1858,
experience, when 1000 were
stranded at Bowie by snow, was
not expected. Equipment was
available to clear roads, and
State police were on hand to
keep traffic moving.
Also, the railroad bringing
patrons from Baltimore and
Philadelphia was ready with
extra cars, if necessary, to take
fans from the track.
The weather prediction did
cut into the expected crowd,
however. Reports of snow in the
South cut the number of buses
bringing patrons from New
York to IA instead of the origi-
nally scheduled 25.
Midas Farms Ira Eaker, a
Florida stakes winner, top
weighted at 121, was favored
to take the first running Of
the $l6,950 Francis Scott Key
stakes at the expense of seven
3-year-old rivals this after
noon.
With Don Lillis, Bowie presi-
dent, still receiving congratu-
lations on the biggest weekday
opening in history, the track
appeared headed for the most
profitable back-to-back days
since the Washington's Birth
day week end of 1857.
Yesterdays turnout of 49,
1872 who obviously approved
Of the enclosed, heated grand
stand, poured $l,282,784 into
the mutuels. 1t was far in
excess of the previous week.
day opening day record set
on February IL, 1857, when
S938,698 was bet.
The temperature rose slightly
above 40 degrees and a sharp
wind made it seem even colder
yesterday afternoon, but it was
as comfortable as a modern
living room in the glass pro-
tected stands.
Sun Warns Area
1t was necessary to turn of
the gas-fired blowers that heat
the stands at noon, as the sun
helped to warm the area. For
the remainder of the afternoon
the fans were reversed to draw
off the excess smoke from Gig
arettes and cigars.
Yesterdays betting total was
not too far behind the $l,424.-
924 handled last year when
Bowie opened on a Saturday.
However, in view of yesterdays
Splurge, a handle in excess of
SIG million was predicted for
today.
Although Ira Eaker was slated
to go of at 8-5 odds or less in
the featured Francis Scott Key,
there was strong support for
the Washington-owned Trojan
Jewel, who carries the silks of
Lawrence R. O'Brien. Trojan
Jewel, weighted at lis pounds,
was making his debut as a g.
year-old after winning his last
two starts at Pimlico last fall.
Starred at Charles Town
Also due support was Miss
Daphne Ceilings Timberlane.
who has starred at the Charles
Town meeting this winter.
Completing the lineup in the
top race of the afternoon was
William H. Bishops Fair Stu
dent, ITO; Gerald S. Moore's
Cotocten Prince, lis; Mrs. Elmer
Truman's Gray Flush, lis;
Happy Hill Farms Palmy Days,
lis, and Frank C. Whitmore's
VaneSsa'S Boy, 118.
Jockey Walter Blum was due
in from Florida to pilot Ira
Eaker and Jockey Buck Thorn
burg also was journeying from
the south to rein Palmy Days.
OPENING DAY SIDE
LIGHTS: Mrs. Edith L. Prices
Yes You Will. impressive win
ner of yesterdays Abraham
Lincoln Stakes, will concen-
trate on the $4,000 Southern
Maryland Handicap and later
the 100000 Campbell. The
4-year-old colt by Rough n
Tumble was raised in limo
mum, Md, in his owners back
yard of less than a half acre
-. A SIS automatic ticket seller
was operating in the clubhouse
yesterday. but the electronic
device received only the support
of the curious who placed bills
face upward into the machine
and pushed a button for the
number desired Ancient
Joe Jones, now 10, apparently
became exhilirated at his re-
turn to his favorite track. He
romped home the winner in
the second race yesterday at
$3.50 to complete a $l78,60
daily double (three and four.
Back in 1854 Joe Jones won the
first running of the Campbell
Handicap in the silks of Mrs.
Hirsch Jacobs. Yesterday he
ran for a $500 claiming tag.
and oddly enough was claimed
out of the race from the Double
A Stable 1t was not until