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COLUMBIA CROWD IS BIG LARGE ATTENDANCE WITNESSES DECISION OF DECIDEDLY ORDINARY CARD. Favorites and Second Choices Take the Purses Ben Sand and Sea Swell the Disappointments of the Day Jockeys Fines Remitted. Columbia, S. C, December 25. Devoid of special feature, todays racing at the Fair Grounds was of decidedly ordinary caliber, although a really excellent attendance braved the inclement weather to witness the sport. The heavy track conditions gave the pronounced mud runners a chance and the short prices at which tlioy were held seemed justified by the results. Two pronounced disappointments developed in Den Sand, the medium for a betting coup in the opening race, and Sea Swell, recently acquired by E. K. liarker. Horses with an outer position at the post and possessing early speed, had a decided advantage during the afternoon, due to their ability to get the path, a strip of fairly good going near the outer rail. The various contests were practically over by the time the stretch turn was reached, for the leader at this point monopolized the good going, with little prospect of displacement. Favorites and second choices accounted for all the purses. Lydia Lee began proceedings by an impressive victory. The path aided Rubin Granda materially to her success, as Sabo Blend was best in the second. Haldeman, under good handling, won as his rider pleased iu the third and Hopkins repeated in the following race with Elizabeth Har-wood. Edith C. won the fifth after having been generously supported by the smart set and V. Powers held sway for the entire distance in the closing dash. Jockeys C. Turner and Hopkins again carried off the riding honors, each landing two winners. The handicap intended as a feature for todays racing did not fill, the only two horses nominated being Sager and Husky Lad. Starter James Milton strolled into the jockeys room before the races this afternoon and. calling the boys together, told them that all unpaid fines imposed during the meeting were remitted. Jockeys under suspension were also restored to "ood standing. This was Mr. Miltons Christmas gift to the riders. James Johnston, who came here at the conclusion of the Norfolk meeting, will leave for Juarez tomorrow. Mr. Johnston turned out a couple of horses at El Paso at the conclusion of the racing season in Mexico last spring, and he will take them over on Ids arrival at Juarez. He will race his stable on th Inter-Mountain circuit next season.
