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EXCITING DAY AT COLUMBIA HOFFMAN WINS HANDICAP AFTER RUNNING AWAY FOR NEARLY THREE JULES. Jockey Gordon in Serious Condition as Result of Fall from Hannah Louise Jockey Hopkins Comes Out of Hoffman Episode with Severe Injury. Columbia, S. C, December 13. Todays racing was replete with incident and furnished keen excitement lor another good sized attendance. The main I : jipp.iihig out of the ordinary came in the handicap. .11 which IIolTmaii. Hose Queen and Donau were the iiitcstants, following the withdrawal of Marjorie A.. .;neca and .Madman. Hoffman was the favorite and v..s well backed. At the barrier, Hopkins momentarily lost control of him and the horse crashed through the inner fence, falling heavily. He scrambled to his feet and circled the track nearly three times before he was caught. Meanwhile the odds against him had lengthened to 30 to 1 straight and six to 1 place, it being generally regarded that his chances of finishing in front of Rose Queen and Donau were practically nil. Hoffmans owner pleaded with the stewards to sanction the horses withdrawal, but to this they would not consent. Hopkins, in falling, had sustained naiuful. but not necessarily severe, injuries, although sullicient to incapacitate him from again mounting. C. Turner was substituted and was instructed to ease up the horse immediately after the rise of the barrier. The rider found the horse willing and he maintained a forward position until the stretch was reached, where ho aroused the crowd by steadily drawing out and won amidst tumultuous cheers. Kose Queen landed second money, with Donau beaten ofT. Hoffmans performance was legarded as phenomenal. An accident in the third race, which may be Attended with grave results, put a damper on the r port. Jockey Gordon, riding Hannah Louise, was unseated, due to crowding because of the big field of starters on the narrow track. lie was rushed with all speed to a nearby hospital and is considered to be in a precarious condition. His injuries nclnde several crushed ribs, a fractured shoulder and probable internal trouble. The novelty race in which men, horses and an automobile engaged at handicap distances, was a farcical affair. The men were supposed to run 500 yards, Elizabeth Ilarwood and On Don over the Futurity course, an abbreviated six furlongs, and the automobile seven furlongs. "Dob" Kennedy and W. II. Williams, the marathon runners, finished first and second well in front of Elizabeth Ilarwcod. Instead of running .100 yards, they were dispatched well in front of the quarter post 440 yards, Kennedy was a 7 to r favorite in the betting. The talent were given a severe drubbing, most of the winners coming from unexpected quarters. The defeat of Delle Clem by Joe Kose in the opener was a stunner. The Dedwell mare was at a prohibitive price. Herbert Turner, in the sixth race, was intended as the medium for a great coup. Many messages found their way to the track from New York and cither points during the fore part of the day announcing that he was being backed with rare confidence. In a former start, jockey Ambrose had kept him sharply restrained almost throughout. In todays running he was allowed to set a fast pace uniil the three-quarters post was reached, where he quit and he finished a distant trailer. Lewis added another purse to Catesby Woodfords credit when he won the second race after leading all the way. The injuries of jockey Hopkins probably will keep him out of the saddle for several days. Ho received a deep gash in his right forearm from falling .gainst the fence and also lacerated his hands badly. The fences, particularly those on the inside, are so low that horses easily fall over them. W. I. Durch wrote that he would ship his string of racers, now resting at Denning, to Charleston. It is understood that Mr. Durch will be one of the ollicials at the Charleston track. A. L. Kirby sent Princess Industry and Sir Dawn to Charleston today. He will increase his stable shortly by the addition of several yearlings from Kentucky. Jack Lory was among todays visitors, having stopped here enroute from Charleston. He reports that rapid progress is being made in the construction of the Ions track and that the majority of the citizens of Charleston look upon the coming race meeting with favor.
