view raw text
PENSACOLA MEETING BEGINS THREATENED OPPOSITION IS DISSIPATED BY OPINION FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY. Prosecuting: Official Rules That Bookmaking Is Legal in Florida Until May 1 Agitation Affects Patronage of the Racing. Pcnsacola, Via., March Todays opening of Hie racing here was anything hut auspicious, the attendance being disappointingly small and the betting decidedly light. As a matter of fact the recent agitation started against the betting feature was not warranted, for there was hardly enough Indulged in to have given cause for offense at a pink tea. The slump was attributed to the agitation and the management feels sanguine that there will be decided improvement as the meeting progresses. There was no untoward incident to mar the sport. The threatened interference that was expected to develop during the afternoon by those opposing the racing did nut .materialize and was no doubt effectively squelched by an opinion given out this morning froni the county solicitors office. The opinion held in substance that the racing promoters held a legal right to operate with bettiiig until May 1 and also that in the county solicitors opinion pool-selling and hookmaking were similar. Notwithstanding the favorable opinion, the layers of odds were a bit concerned before race time by the possibility of arrest, but their uneasiness wore off as the afternoon went along. Several of the races resulted in stubbornly fought contests and close linishes. Three pronounced choices wore successful during the afternoon. Though announcement was made that the ring here was au open one, no outside bookmakers took the opportunity to draw in. Only three layers quoted prices. .lockey L. Jackson was suspended for three days by the starter for disobedience at the post. Jockey Jensen was not permitted to ride today on account of haviug been suspended by starter Dade at Jacksonville for a week.
