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OPENING IS AUSPICIOUS BIG CF.0WD TURNS OUT AT LEXINGTON DESPITE- UNFAVORABLE WEATHER. Speculation Exceeds That of Corresponding Day Last Year and Keen Interest Is Displayed in Sport Countless Takes Stako Feature of Card. i Lexington, Ky., April 29. The Kentucky Associations spring meeting was opened this afternoon, under dripping skies and with a muddy track, yet the attendance was large and the pooling heavier than on the opening day last spring. The prevalent keeuess of tlie people for the sport was everywhere-evident. Under such weather conditions one would expect that but few persons would venture Into the unsheltered infield, even under the allurement of no fee for admittance, yet there were fully 500 men and boys on the green sward and they did not seem to mind tlie rain at all. The state of the going caused much scratching, particularly in the Phoenix Hotel Handicap, which was reduced to two starters. Countless and Cherry-ola. and was won with ridiculous ease by the former, a 2 to 5 favorite. Tlie other, five races were probably more than ordinarily interesting, especially the two-year-old events, in which a number of the juvenile racers were making their first appearance under colors. On the whole the racing was clean, there being no occasion for a reprimand from the-judges stand, which was occupied by Captain Thomas II. Clay, presiding judge, Secretary G. 1. Wilson and Raclug Secretary W. II. Shelley, associates, and Johnson N. Camden, steward, representing the Kentucky State Racing Commission iu tlie absence of Maj. Foxhall A. Daingerlield, who will serve during the remainder of tlie nn:ting. Starter Mars Cussiily, however, found it necessary to suspend jockey A. Thomas, under contract to Johnson N. Camden, for the remainder or tlie meeting for misbehavior at the post in tlie fifth race. Mr. Cassiily was in fine form at tlie barrier and his starting was more than once applauded. President Cates-by Woodford and all of the directors of the association attended and they and the officials of tho course expressed themselves as delighted with the results of the day, though, of course, regretting the rain. Had tho weather been clear there would have been easily 10,000 people at the course. Gene EIrod, though suffering with rheumatism, was on hand to supervise the betting ring as usual and ho had nothing to worry him in the operation of tlie plant. His well-organized pari-mutuel and aue.tioa crews worked as smoothly as if they had not had a winters lay-off. Johnny McLaughlin, the pool auctioneer, just out of tho hospital with a bruised! ear drum, did not do the selling, but was there to guide John Rain, liis able assistant. In every department there was general satisfaction and it may well be said that the meeting opened auspiciously. The public had a poor line on the horses, Die only favorite to come home in front being Countless in the Phoenix Hotel Handicap, which proved virtually no contest. Jockey McTaggart rushed the Greener colt to the front at the rise of tlie barrier, rode him hard for the first quarter, assumed a lead of about eight lengths entering the backstretcli and took it easy for tho remainder of the journey of a mile and a sixteenth. Cherryola was clearly unequal to tho task of overhauling the sou of The Commoner at any stage of the race. The opening race produced a stirring contest and a thrilling finish. . Cohort and Crystal Maid, wintiec of tiio Inaugural Dash last spring, carried the bulk of the money wagered. Al Muller and Cohort raced head and head until tho stretch, where Enfield, which had been within striking distance, moved up and won in a drive by a head from Al Muller, with Cohort third a head in advance of Crystal Maid. Harney Schreibers Kentucky Derby candidate. Captain Carmody, was never prominent. lie is now looked upon as more ot a stayer than a sprinter. Joe McLennan, who is at present soliciting entries to the stakes offered at Toronto and Montreal during the spring meetings, announced today that he. had been engaged to assist Acting Secretary Edward Jasper at Churchill Downs during the earlier period of the Louisville racing. Mr. McLennan will not bo able to remain at Churchill Downs only during tho lirst week, because of his engagement at Woodbine. Toronto. He will leave on Monday next for a brleC visit to Chicago before proceeding to Louisville. After riding Grover Hughes and Helene, respectively in the lirst and third races today, jockey F. Obert was instructed by Secretary Ridwell of the racing commission not to accept any more mounts, as liis application for a license had been held up pending further investigation. M. J. Winn, John Ilachmcister and C. F. Price, who came here to attend the opening, will remain over until tomorrow. Judge Price, when informed of II. G. Redwells reinstatement, declared that he was glad of It. Mr. Winn predicted, after todays auspicious opening hero under adverse conditions, that tlie meeting at Churchill Downs this spring will be tho banner one in the history of that course. Dorses tiiat had been campaigned during the winter months were successful in all the races. Enfield, Cash on Delivery and Pilain were last-time starters at Juarez, and Workbox, Countless and Irishtown recently arrived from Jacksonville. Roola Eoola, a prominent candidate for tlie Camden Handicap, to bo run on Saturday, next, was an object of interest, especially to several ladies In the Johnson N. Camden party. Tho horse was sent a preliminary of one mile and was pulled to half speed for the entire trip, but negotiated the distance in 1:5.1. Trainer Keene feels sanguine that the horse will give a good account of himself in the big race. Col. Alexander Labold took an early morning ride to John I. Cans farm to see his Cincinnati trophr winner, Chulita, and her two daughters, a yearling by Voter and a suckling by Herniis. These babr racers are lioth fine individuals. Chulita will be mated with Star Shoot. James R. Keenes Curiosity, the dam of Novelty, has foaled a dead colt by Superman at Castleton Stud. Edward Corrigans horses are at Louisville. Tin says he will probably ship a couple to run here next week. Jack Lory was an arrival from New York to attend the opening. Matt J. Winn, in discussing tho proposed four-mile-race this fall, said: "If the starters in that race are of good class the Now Louisville Jockey Club will give a 0,000 purse to have it run over tho Churchill Downs track."
