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f s 1 1 i J i 1 i ; i i l ALL IN READINESS AT CITY PARK. Racing Begins Today Over a Heavy Track with Good Horses in Evidence. New Orleans, La., Xovemher 22. The racing season for 1907-S will open tomorrow under conditions far from favorable. The tightness of the money market, the muddy condition of the track and the absence of many big speculators will rob the opening of much eclat. There is no question hut that matters will improve as the meeting progresses, but for the first few weeks the managements look for a light attendance. The continual grind at the half-mile merry-go-round all summer has not improved matters locally, although the success of racing in the Crescent City depends to a great extent upon the patronage which comes from the regulars who put in the winter months here. As yet many of them have yet to put in an npiearanee, but with the close of the Donning mooting, they will probably turn up. The track at City Park is deep and holding, owing principally to a deep covering of black loam which was placed on it last summer. A continual downpour of rain for the past four or five days lias not helped to improve matters and it will take a pretty solid horse to run freely in the going. Already predictions are being made for a rainy winter. Last season hut little rain fell and horsemen who brought mud runners here had hut few opportunities to race. their horses. It appears as if there will be a shift this winter in their favor. If present indications count for anything the fair grounds people will have the best track this-winter. Hilly Myers has given the constructio:: of the new track considerable study, and particular attention was paid to the selection of the soli used. At City Iark a force of men lias been busy for the past week putting the plant in shape. .Many of the little details incidental to the opening of a race meeting were completed today and everything will lie in readiness. The announcement that clearing house certificates will be accepted by the bookmakers will bolster the hotting to some extent. Indications tonight are that not more than twenty-five layers will operate during the early period of racing. Among the recent arrivals of bookmakers are Fred Adler and Sam Most. Herman Brandt got in from New York with a division of Barney Schreibers horses. Jack Atkin is in the string. Miss Sain, which .T. W. Gorman purchased for 5,000 during the Latonia meeting and shipped to Aqueduct,, arrived yesterday in very bad condition, having contracted a high fever on the way. Jockey Lee is working hard to keep down at a light riding weight. His services will not he in great demand, as there are any number of lightweight riders attached to the principal stables. The apprentice rule allowing live pounds will he general. All the owners engaging an apprentice-will he entitled to the allowance regardless oi whether the youngster is under their contract or attached to some other stable. Jockey Xicol denies the story that he is to retire from the saddle next year. His contract with Fred Cook expires December 14, but this does not mean that his connection with the Cook stable will be severed for all time. The probability is that his signature will be ailixed to a new contract for the same owner. While here, NIcol will mostly ride free lance. William Shelley, who will act as presiding judge until Clarence McDowell arrives from Benning, got in last night from Louisville. On the same train came a number of race followers. Tommy McGee, business agent for Edward Corri-gan, got in yesterday with the advance guard of his employers extensive string that he will campaign this winter. Mr. Corrigan is expected to arrive here tonight.
