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PIMLICOS PAYING OPENING. BIG ATTENDANCE, FORTY BOOKS IN LINE AND EXCELLENT RACING INSURE PROSPERITY. De Mund Left at the Post and Wins a Great Race-Live Wire Defeats Gridiron Washington Meeting Seems Assured. Baltimore, Md.. October 24. The .Maryland Jockey Club was a bit unfortunate in having a rainy afternoon for its opening. Despite the disagreeable weather, however, a large crowd turned out and some good racing was witnessed. The light showers that fell helped rather than hurt the going and some keen sport was witnessed, live of the six races furnishing driving finishes, in which the winners were first home by small margins. Long before the time arrived for- calling the horses to the post for the opening race the grandstand was filled and the overtlow made themselves comfortable on the upper tier, which was thrown open to the public for the first time. Good class was well represented in the different races and four favorites won. William Garth furnished two of the winners in his recent purchases. Pontotoc, which won the steeplechase, and Bedouin, which captured the closing race. Both horses were forced to stand long, hard drives to win and incidentally it was their first appearance in the colors of their new owner. Pontotoc, which is a recent acquisition from J. O. Keones stable, showed himself to be an excellent fencer and also a speedy horse through the field. Dupee rode him with much courage and probably could have won further off. An excellent program was provided for the opening. It had as features a steeplechase over the two-mile course, the Kernan Hotel Purse and the Baltimore Club Cup, which called for gentlemen riders. Large fields were originally promised in all the races, but the light showers frightened many of the owners into scratching and the fields consequently were greatly reduced. The opening race, which was started out of the new six furlongs chute, was won by Paul Raineys De Mund. which ran one of the greatest races of his career. When the start came De Muiul. for some reason, stood perfectly still, with McCarthy doing his best in an effort to get him to join the others. When he finally left the po;t the leaders were a dozen lengths away. The big sprinter took after them and in the running down the backstretch and around the far turn gained steadily. Entering the homestretch he was well up with the leaders and in the stretch caught and passed Tasley and won going away. De Mund was timed the last five furlongs in 1:00, which is very fast for the Pimlico track. The Baltimore Cup proved an easy victory for Niblick, which was ridden by Mr. T. Wright and was always an odds-on favorite. Jockey P. Goldstein had his first mount today since last spring when he got into trouble at Baltimore. Goldstein rode iu several of the races during the afternoon. Bedouin, winner of the sixth race, being one of his mounts. Colonel Robert Neville, the Virginia turfman, who is the moving spirit in the contemplated meeting at Washington to follow Pimlico, said this afternoon that prospects are bright for holding the meeting. Colonel Neville is one of a committee of horsemen who have the matter in charge, and he reports that lie has received the greatest encouragement from the merchants of Washington and horsemen that have been -approached regarding the subject. Business men of the national capital are exceedingly anxious that the meeting be held and in every instance when asked have said they would contribute various amounts towards defraying expenses. Horsemen also have agreed to put up their share of the money. It is thought by Colonel Neville that the meeting will more than pay expenses, and in that event those who contribute will get a refund of the money put up. It is proposed to hold a ten-days meeting, with purses ranging from 50 to 00. The horsemen at Pimlico, in most cases, will ship to Washington in the event of the meeting being held. Racing officials liave also agreed to do their part towards keening the sport alive In Washington. Captain Fred Pros-grave is deeply interested in the project and will send his stable there and will take a prominent part In running the meeting.
