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HARLEMS AUSPICIOUS OPENING. Harlem had a rousing opening yesterday, and despite all the drawbacks the coarse has experienced in the way of fire, which completely destroyed the grandstand, and water that pat the track in a bad condition for satisfactory racing, there was a record-breaking crowd on hand. Manager Miers stated that there were 11,400 paid admissions, so it wonld be a low estimate to put the crowd present at 12.000. Of coarse the buildings were crade and the grounds were not all that conld be desired, but it was a wonder how so much could have been accomplished in snch a short time. One week from yesterday the old grandstand, or what remained of it, and its ruins occupied the space where the new stand now is. There is no paddock at present and the horses are saddled in the old feed barn away down at the head of the stretch. The betting ring is small and there is little or no protection from the sun for the occupants of the stand. Notwithstanding all these drawbacks, the crowd seemed well pleased, and on every side could be heard words of praise and astonishment because that John Condon and his associates, who had advertised the Harlem meeting to open May 30. had proved able to keep their promise. The card offered wes a good one, consisting of two handicaps, three allowance races, and but one selling race. The first handicap, a five furlong spin, had most of the speed in the west entered, and despite the fact that OConnellwas scratched, five cracker-jack sprinters made up the field. Hobart, who has beaten almost everything he met from New Orleans all up the line, was picked by the talent and was strongly supported at even money. He was carrying top weight, but the public had confidence in him and especially so on account of the heavy track, which is supposed to be his long suit. To say that Hobart ran a bad race would hardly cover it. He had little or no speed, and finished oat-side of the three placed horses. Opaque, a fine looking chestnt colt by Iroqaois— Ogarita, from T. P. Hayes stable proved the winner. He broke fourth, but at once rushed to the front, and, showing phenomenal speed, ran away from his horses the first half and won pulled almost to a walk. Abe Furst got the place, and Andes, who was unfortunate at the start, was third. The ■winner was backed from 8 to 1 down to 5 to 1. The eight and o ne-half furlongs handicap fur sished more of a contest than the sprint race did. Old daugas jumped oat in the lead at the start and opened up a big gap down the back-stretch, and at the half mile post it looked as though he was going to make a runaway race of it. On the far turn, though, Myth and Qalathee begau to move up, and gaining gradually on the leader were head and head with him when the stretch was reached. At this point it was anybodys race and shouts of "Myth wins, "Qalathee has caught him" and "came on Old Saugus" could be heard on all sides. Henson, a new hand at the business, had the mount on Old Saugus and when challenged he did not seem to be in the least alarmed and ased good judgment by not going to his whip. He sat still and "jollied Old Baagas along. On the other hand, both Clay and Holder! seemed to become rattled and let their horses 11 sunder all over the track. The consequence was Old Saugus hung on gamely and at the wire was a length in the lead. Al Fresco, with top weight, was favorite for the race, but like Hobart, he finished fourth. James Arthur, fresh from St. Louis, carried off the first two purses. He won the initial event with Simon D., who was a 6 to 5 favorite, and Hoods Brigade at 20 to 1 was lucky enough to land the second. The third race was an easy thing for Monongah and Brigade, although handicapped by a bad ride, took the sixth and last event into camp. The last two mentioned were both betting choices at 7 to a. John Mackey, with a batch of the Haggin yearlings, on his way to New York passed through the city Monday, Jockey Hugh Penny came east with the load. Miss Gussie, who was one of the best horses in training on the Northern Circuit last season has broken down. 8he will be sold to be used as a brood mare. This is a filly of high class and will no doubt be heard from in the stud. Jockey W. Narvaez got in yesterday from San FraDcisco. He can ride at 98 pounds and is a useful addition to the local riding talent. Jockey Tabor is also a new arrival. Tabor says he is lighter than he has been in many years and can do 108 without much trouble. Galen Brown and Charles Carmichael were visitors. Mr. Brown has turned all his horses out in California.
