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RACING GAINS IN FAVOR BUSINESS MEN OF COLUMBIA VISIT TRACX TO SHOW ATTITUDE TOWARDS SPORT. Report That Agreement Will Be Reached by Which Hearing on Injunction Proceedings Will Be Deferred Until December 28. Columbia, S. C, December 11. Had those seoking to have the racing here curtailed on the score of being a nuisance been at the track today, they would have lieen forced to admit that their contention was farfetched and devoid of reason, for a more representative and decorous gathering it would have been difficult to imagine at any public function. That many of the business people are out of sympathy with the hostile move of a few was manifested by their presence at the course today in goodly numbers. The racing situation has clarified somewhat in the past twenty-four hours, and the sport has gained steadily in favor. Horsemen and the followers of racing are becoming more optimistic and it is rumored that an agreement will be reached whereby the Injunction proceedings will be stayed until December 2S. Important developments are expected within the next twenty-four hours. Ladies day, the second occasion of the kind during the present meeting, brought out a large number of the fair sex, who eviuced real interest in the sport and its attending features. The regulars had a field day, for favorites and well supported second choices carried off all the purses. The books were again hard hit. The racing could hardly have lieen Improved on, all the starters striving hard from barrier rise to finish. Several of the finishes were close and aroused keen enthusiam. The betting was again spirited and the public had much the best of it. V. Powers and Moltke were a couple of supposed "good things" that went wrong during the afternoon. Had the former won, the books would have felt it severely. He probably was the best horso in his race, but a poor lieginning accounted for his failure. After a thorough investigation of jockey J. Williams listless handling of Abrasion and Dolly Bult-nian. Steward Martin Nathanson today announced that riders suspension for an indefinite period. Cat, one of the starters in the third race, was badly cut down when running well three furlongs out. It appeared that Cu Bon was responsible for her injury. Muff, winner of the fifth race, was bid up to 05, an advance of 05 over the entered price, and wad retained. The program book for next weeks racing will bo distributed to owners tomorrow. F. M. Taylor, trainer for U. C. Hallcnbeck, returned yesterday to Aiken, S. C. where his horses are now quartered. He announced that Stinger had recently been insured for 0,000, but that Herkimer was not insured. Both horses cost Mr. Hallcnbeck about the sum that he will receive from the insurance company on account of the loss of Stingor. Jockey Hopkins complained to ttie judges after the fifth race that C. Turner, on Lewis, had used unfair tactics by striking Judge Howell across the nose and had also landed several times on Hopkins arm. Turner was cautioned against a repetition o such conduct. Berkeley was excused from starting In the third race on account of a badly wrenched ankle, due to stepping on a stone. Several of the horsemen who shipped their stables from Latouia to Charleston were visitors at tho Columbia track this afternoon. Wayne Joplln was ono of the number. He reports that his horses are doing well and that he is pleased with his accommodations at the ..Charleston course. Granite, which . went wrong at Latonia, has been blistered and his bad leg Is responding to treatment. Jerome Heilly and Pete CoIIett. both from New York, were among tiie new arrivals. W. O. Scully has decided that he will not race t during the winter season. He has his string stabled at the old Benning course at Washington and will come to the races in 1912 with a pair of likely three-year-olds, a two-year-old and bis good campaigner, Rcy-bourn. The young horses are all of his own breeding. Pins and Needles, a mare that raced with sue cess under the Scully colors for some seasons, .-has been sent to the farm.
