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RACING BEGINS AT JOLIET MIXED MEETING IN CONNECTION WITH FAIR OPENS AUSPICIOUSLY. No Open Bookmaking to Be Permitted hy Management this Week Movement for Prolonga-tion of Meeting Takes Shape. .Toliet, 111., August 24. Under conditions that were entirely satisfactory to tins management, tin; mixed meeting in connection with tin? aiiiiual fair of Will County opened at Infills Park this afternoon. Tin; racing program was devoted principally to the trotters, although tlic- card Included twi -running raws, as it will each afternoon until Saturday, which will he Chicago day, with the runners in full possession. The attendance today was fully up to expectations, the grandstand being well tilled with interested spectators, including a sprinkling of well-known followers of the running turf. There was no open bookmaking on the races, what betting was indulged in within the racing enclosure being confined to wagering between individuals. Manager Ingalls stated that he had given his word to Governor Deneen that there would be no attempt to make books during the progress of the fair, in view of the financial aid extended by the state to the enterprise, and he proposed to keep his word to the letter. What may happen at the close of the fair is unite another thing, Mr. Ingalls explained. He was not ready to say today that racing will be continued at Ingalls Iark next week, but he gave the impression that lie expects to see such a tin-velopmeiit. He averred that by Saturday he would be iu a position to make a definite announcement. A petition is in circulation here and is receiving the signatures and approval of local business houses and the citizeus generally in support of a race meeting of lifteeu days duration, devoted to the thoroughbreds, to follow the fair. This petition will be presented to Mr. Ingalls and the county officials. Those behind the petition argue that the proposed meeting would stimulate local business and benefit this locality financially. There are about seventy-live thoroughbreds in training here. They will remain at Ingalls Iark next week if racing is continued here. Otherwise they will, be transferred to Hawthorne tiaek at Chicago tONfake part in the meeting scheduled there for-fLalwr day. The belief prevails among the horsemen congregated here, due to intimations received from a semi-official source, that further racing may be anticipated at Hawthorne after Labor day. John J. Hogan, who is acting as starter here, will dispatch the fields at Hawthorne on Labor da v. While somewhat inclined to cuppiness. the .Toliet track is in good condition for racing, and the ap-IMtintmeuts of the plant are spick and span. The course is a regulation mile and of sufficient width to permit good racing.
