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! , j j ; , ] i j | ] TIMELY GOSSIP FROM BLUE-GRASS LAND. Lexington. Ky.. January 9. — Starter Harry Mor-rissc.v. wrilng from San Diego to a friend in this city concerning the opening of the race meeting at Tia Juana. where he is presiding at the barrier, says: •The opening was a big success. The attendance numbered 4.5.m. of which :S.00O were paid admissions. The governor and his staff were present. He sure is with this plant and will do all he can for ii. He posed in the judges stand for the moving picture people and paraded from the front entrance to his box with his Stall ami military band also for the nioviest. That evening the governor and his stnfl" were entertained at a banquet at one of Ihe hotels. It was a great affair. "There were nine books on for the opening day, two of them field books. The Sunday crowd was larger tb*n on the opening day and I was told that more money was handled. As to the horses and riders, they are a mediocre lot and will stand much improvement. Both horses and riders are scarce. The management has announced a raise in the pluses from 00 to 50. and a raise of 00 additional on the handicaps, so you see it looks like it is a sure go. The train service from San Diego to the track is good. The station is about one-sixteenth of a mile from the stand. Hundreds of automobiles were parked on the premises both days. Judgt—g frotn what web are seen and heard thus far. I have no hesitancy in saying that Tia Juana is going to be a great racing point." Barney Schreiber. who spent three or four days at his Horse Haven Farm here last week, is also of the opinion that Tia Juana will make good. "II is not to be expected that tlie management will make any money there this year." said lie. "but from what I saw of the plant and from the cm-Mtsitions I had with the people in California and Lower California concerning the organization and its plans. I am satisfied that next year will see the racing in full swing and I have no doubt that it will be successful from then on. The scarcity of horses there is one big handicap to the operators this season. II links to me as if any sort of a mill horse conltl win races there." Schreiber left here Thursday night for New Orleans with the intention of making a b x k for the remainder of the seas. in. Jack Weaver has taken up six runners at the Kentucky Association track, and he is in high spirits over his prospects for a successful season with them. In addition to the three-year-old gelding Thornwooil. a winner last year, he has five two-year olds. One is an upstanding black colt, which has been named Woodthorn. He is a brother to Thorn wood by Patriot — Mary Sayre. Weaver considers him an excellent prospect, but he also has great regard for Lucy C. a chestnut filly by Transvaal — Sento dam of Jolly I. He says she is a high-class filly anil that it would take a long price to get her from him. He named the bay filly by Transvaal — Kula. Elizabeth Thompson. The other two are colts by Transvaal — the bay he calls Jack Wiggins and the black is Woodly. He is out of Sue II.. and she is tlie dam of ten winners. Weaver is evidently much impressed with the Transvaals. for he has al out decided to mate his splendid mare Howell with the sou of Commando and Royal Rose. Should he change his mind. Arthur B. Hancocks recently imported Wrack will lie his selection. Howell is now at Kinney Nichols farm in Bourbon County.
