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RAIN PREVENTS OPENING DELUGE MAKES LEXINGTON TRACK UNSAFE f OB RACING PURPOSES. Postponement Necessary from Yesterday Until Today — New and Better Card Prepaxed-Gossip from Blue Grass Region. Lexington. K.r., September 19.— The scheduled opening of the Kentucky fall racing mm here to-dy li l pot lake place. The opening was necessarily deferred on account of a severe rain storm which began yesterday. The downpour increased steadily .luring the night and by morning had flooded the track until it resembled a river. It would have been dangerous to have attempted racing horses over the course. 1ntil a late hour this morning hopes were still held out by the management for the running of the program as per schedule, but at noon Secretary Shelley reluctantly announced that the racing would be postponed until tomorrow. The entries for today were declared off and a new card was prepared which suffers none in comparison Wtth the other one and. in fact, is more satisfactory for the reason that most of the horses carded are well-tried mud iierforiners. The program book of the meeting will be run off as prepared, with the only difference that it will be one day later than schedule throughout. There was a big influx of horsemen and visitors from nearby cities for the opening and most of them will remain over until tomorrow. During the night when the storm was at its worst lightning did considerable damage in and around the city. Several of the stock farms sustained losses by barns being struck. Peg Woftington, one of the noted broodmares at T. C, McDowells Ashland 1arm. was killed by a bolt of lightning. She was by I»ngfellow — Ballet, twenty-six years old and the dam of many good winners, including David Garrick. Hracegirdle and Intruder, the latter a winner in England. A. L. Kirby. who arrived here today from Louisville, announced that he had advices from Hot Springs. Ark., to the effect that sentiment is strongly in favor of racing and that the legislature at its next session will surely pass a bill permitting i h«. resumption of the s|»ort and that a race meeting of £h »rt duration will be held in Ihe Vapor City, IMissibly in April next. There is some disappointment because of the postponement of a meeting between Round the World and !overnor Cray. There is keen interest in this pair of juvenile cracks and both have many sup-IMjrtcrs. W. .1. Young, who is training some of C. L. Harrisons hemes, will also act as agent for that owner. J. W. May -will act as agent for L. P. Doerhofer, whose horses he is training. Pinkolu and Friend Harry have been transferred to W. H. Fixers stable by E. Alvey, who is contemplating retirement from racing. Colonel Rob. whieli is owned by Alvey, will continue in the stable of T. Hatfield. Andrew Robertson, a representative of the Allendale Stock Farm, Melbourne. Australia, is here to attend the race meeting and the sales. "Our farm is devoted to the production of l« th thoroughbred runnels and trotters." he said, "and I am here to buy horses of both breeds if what I want is on the market. I shall remain over until after the October trotting meeting and sales here." William Shields string of eight racers arrived yesterday. The two-year-old bay filly, Nisi, by Octagon — Ninthly was taken witli a car lit. and as a matter of protection to the other horses was thrown OVt of the car while the train was running at full sliced. The fall broke Nisis nifk. Henry McDanlel came in from Montreal and spent a good part of yesterday in company with Will Mc-Daniel, Harry Rites, Col. Milton Young. Thomas Piatt. Joint D. Carr and a nuinlier of others, inspecting the yearlings that are to be Bali during the week. "There are some good-lookers among the joungstei s." said Henry McDaniel, "and I may buy If Ihe prices are right." Khsr*er Mars Caatidy, ac onipanted by Archie Zim-mer. arrived last night tr m New York. He is looking fine and says he is glad to he again in Kentucky. D is ten years since he was here. President "liarlcs F. Grainger, of the New Louisville Jockey Club. Col. Matt .7. Winn. Judge Charles F. Price, Harry Brelvogel, Phil Igor. Arthur Klrod and Wayne Jopltn arrived yesterday as the advance guard of the Louisville delegation. Fred f illiaihl nunc over from Louisville with three horses belonging to J. R. Wainwright. Jockey V. Powers will be under the management of J. W. May in Kentucky this fall. Tommy Barns applied for a license to ride, as well as train, and is counting on riding his own horses when he can make the weight.
