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NORFOLK TRACK SOMEWHAT IMPROVED. Mud Runners Still Have the Call, However Big Attendance Marks Ladies Day. Norfolk, Va., November S. A ladies day program attracted a large crowd to the Jamestown Jockey Clubs track this afternoon. The big grandstand was filled to overflowing and the male patrons of the sport were forced to accommodate themselves on the lawns. While .the track was still heavy in spots, the going was much Improved as compared with the previous day. Mud "runners, however, had a decided advantage and the layers took no chances with horses that had previously shown a disposition to run well over the sort of a track that prevailed today. All of the winners were well backed, even Husky Lad finding strong support in certain quarters. The latters victory, which came with the running of the Fairfax Hotel Handicap, a dash of one mile, caused some surprise after his recent sorry showing. Bob II. was an even money favorite for the race and undoubtedly would have won but for being carried wide by the winner as they made the turn into the Homestretch. There were many who looked for official action in the matter and some thought that a disqualification would result. The stewards, however, allowed the placing to stand as the horses finished. The heavy going probably had something to do with their decision, as many jockeys swung wide on the stretch turn today in an effort to get the best footing. Sherwoods victory was something of a fluke, although he may have been the best horse in the race. He was behind the leaders in rounding the far turn with no chance of getting through. Byrne, on Pennyroyal, went wide in making the last turn and carried Double Five and Thrifty out with him. This left a big gap close- to the rail, which Guy Burns was quick to take advantage of and he rushed Sherwood past the leaders and drew away into an easy lead at the finish. The steeplechase was a well-contested affair all the way. In the early running Lizzie Flat was a dominant factor and then Black Bridge and Sam Ball made their bids. The latter fenced in a bold and resolute manner, and in the homestretch drew away to beat the favorite, Vilhalla, a length. The big operators selected Mon Ami as the best betting proposition of the day and they unloaded on Captain Walkers sprinter to such an extent that he went to the post an odds-on favorite. Mon Ami never left the result In doubt. He dashed to the front when the start came and drew away Into a commanding lead, which he retained all the way to win by five lengths. Several horsemen -racing at Latonia have wired here asking for stabling. They will probably ship their, strings on Saturday, arriving here the following day. The stake blanks for the Charleston Fair and Racing Associations meeting are expected to arrive within the next few days. . Joseph McLennan, who will act as secretary at Almandares the coming winter, is also busy. He has compiled the conditions for the first weeks book and they are now in the hands of the printers. It looks as If there would be about an equal division of the liorsemen racing here between these two points, but- at best neither place will be overcrowded.
