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SOCIETY OUT AT BLUE BONNETS. Opening of Montreal Jockey Clubs Fall Meeting Successful Despite Unfavorable Weather. Montreal. Que.. September 4. The third annual fall meeting of the Montreal Jockey Club began today under unfavorable conditions. A drizzling rain set in before nOon and this had its effect on the attendance. The patronage, however, exceeded by far the expectations of the management and enough people were present to crowd the grandstand and betting enclosure. The rain had but little effect on the track and the going remained good throughout the afternoon. A splendid program had been arranged and keen sport was witnessed, four of the finishes being close. Class was represented in a majority of the races and. as the last four winners were well backed favorites, the public were well satisfied with the afternoons entertainment. This, in a measure, made amends for the disagreeable climatic conditions. One of the noticeable features of the afternoon was the support given by the society folk. The clubhouse balconies were well filled, the attendance in the enclosure being by far the largest that ever turned out at Blue Bonnets. Racing in Montreal evidently is growing in favor with the better element and the Club is making every effort to attract this class of people to its course. The stables that came here from Saratoga captured a majority of the purses with horses that had been freshened up ut the Spa. Colonel Phil Chinn furnished two of the afternoons winners in Great Heavens and Joe Gaitens. both of which were weli backed choices. The former captured the Laurier Handicap, the feature race of the card, while Joe Gaitens won the closing dash. A handsome silver cup was presented by the club to the owner of the handicap winner and Colonel Chinn did himself proud in his speech of acceptance. Great Heavens showed a smart performance iu the race and was well ridden by Musgrave. The latter kept the colt under restraint for more than half the journey and when he elected to make his move at the turn out of the hackstretcli Great Heavens dashed around his field and was soon on even terms with the leaders. Musgrave again took hold of Great Heavens and not until well along in the filial furlong did he again permit him to run at top speed. At the end the colt easily disposed of his opposition and drew away into an easy lead. Theo Cook, the early pacemaker, finished second and the top weight. Jack Parker, third. The finish in the opener was a thriller. G. M. Miller just managed to get up in the final stride to beat Magdalen a nose on the post. The finish was so close that the outcome remained iu doubt until the official placing was displayed. The second race also furnished a stirring contest in which the locally-owned two-year-old. Busy, beat a good band of all-aged horses. Busy mande an excellent showing and is evidently a youngster of merit. Hanbridge was second and Plaudmore third, necks apart, with Lady Irma fourth, another head away. The steeplechase proved little more than an exercise gallop for Thistledale. which outjumped and outran his field for the entire distance. The other two starters. Zagg and Merry Maker, managed to finish only after a strenuous trip. Merry Maker refused at two of the jumps, while Zagg unseated his rider at the seventh fence. The Bedwell stable failed to arrive from Fort Erie in time to participate in the racing and its entries were scratched. Jockey Herbert rode two winners. G. M. Miller and Edwin Gum.
