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PROMISES WELL FOR FUTURE OPENING CONDITIONS AT COLUMBIA EXCEED EXPECTATIONS OF PHOMOTEHS. Governor Blease of South Carolina Graces Occasion with His Presence- and Evinces Keen Interest in the Racing Best Horses Take Purses. Columbia. S. C, November 30. The conditions attending the opening of the Columbia Racing Asso-- nations meeting here this afternoon could be tinned auspicious and arc regarded as promising will for the success of the venture. The attendance was good, the racing wholesome and much above expectations considering the poor quality of the material that furnished the contests. The betting was somewhat light, due to a lack of public knowledge as to the form of the horses. Six layers posted liiieii and they expressed satisfaction with conditions. Contrary to expectations, the local representation was large and evinced considerable interest in the racing. As an added attraction, aviator Iaul llerk gave several successful flights in his monoplane between races. Included among the notables who attended the opening was Governor Blease of South Carolina. The states chief executive took a lively interest in the days proceedings, witnessed several of the races from the judges stand and expressed his pleasure vi:r the fine sport. The governors presence at the track and the keen interest he manifested. was a source of gratification to the horsemen, who look upon it as auguring well for future racing in South Carolina. The promoters indicated their satisfaction over the opening days results and feel sanguine that th-? meeting will prove a great financial success. Nearly tin1 entire Norfolk contingent, where racing closed today, are expected to take part in the meeting here and their arrival will stimulate the game considerably. AAliile a scarcity of racing material is prevalent at present, the shortage will be overcome when the intlux from the Virginia track sets in. Six cars of racers arrived late tonight from Norfolk :iml nine additional cars are due tomorrow. 4 Kentucky will also send a big representation, in-Kmling the hordes of Gallaher Brothers, Ward and eber, Eugene Lutz and fifteen owned by J. AA 1 rye. II. CI. Bed wells Ilose Queen and Prince Ahmed took first and second money in the handicap that featured todays card. The pair outclassed the opposition aftpr Donau was left at the post as a result it his stubborn acting. All the races were keenly contested from flag fall t finish, the purses going to the best horses. There were many arrivals late tonight from Nor-f Ik and many more are due to arrive tomorrow. Including several bookmakers. The grandstand is still In the rough, but continuous work on it will put it in fair shape by next week. A large circus tent was used for the betting ring, pending the erection of a permanent structure. It is expected that it will he finished by Monday. The layers that posted prices today included. J. Illume, S. A. Cloptou, J. AV. ltice, Al lierford, Horace Iaul and Oscar Bachman. .lockey Forehand has contracted to ride for II. G. Bed well and had his first mount In the Bedwell ! lors today. H Surfeit, a two-year-old that AV. B. Carson acquired from Albert Simons, is in a bad way suffering from pneumonia. Starter .Miltons work with the harrier could not have been improved upon. The leaving of Donau and Our Nugget at the harrier was due to their wheeling when the start was effected. Both were I l.ved on the schooling list.
