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AWAY WELL AT LEXINGTON BIG CROWD ATTENDS THE OPENING OF THE KENTUCKY RACING CAMPAIGN. Watorlilossom Wins but Star Jasmine and Poppee Disappoint Followers of the McDowell Stable — Grovcr Hughes Runs Like a Youngster. Lexington, Ky.. April 27. — Adverse weather conditions did not prevent :i rattling big crowd from being in attendance at the Kentucky Association track this afternoon to witness the opening of the Kentucky racing season. Conditions were anything tint propitious for outdoor siMirt. but the big gather -iiiK seemed unmindful and extracted a full measure of enjoyment out of the racing and its attending incidents. The track was in bad condition, but few scratches were recorded, leaving evenly matched fields to make the contests. The Phoenix Hotel Handicap, an annual fixture here, was the headliner and resulted in an easy victory for the veteran G rover Hughes, which won :is his rider pleased over Rayberry Candle and Grumpy. The favorite. Star Jasmine, was outpaced from the start. The T. C. McDowell establishment was figured to win three races and began in auspicious fashion when Waterblossom cantered home in advance of ".ood opiMisition in the Inaugural I ash. Major McDowells Poppee was a distinct disappointment in the second and. like Star Jasmine, failed to got a place. Much Interest attended the meeting of Judge Young and Sleeper in the third race. Roth colts were heralded as stars and much was ex|»ected of Ihenj. They promised highly during the early stage-s of the race by running in advance of the others, but after rounding into the stretch they fell back, while Bertha, a slashing looking colt by Jim Giittney — Autolee. owned by J. S. WanL won easily over Qmg Fortune, with Sleeper just lasting long enough to save third place. Judge Young tired badly in the final eighth. The contest that aroused the keenest interest of the afternoon was the sixth, in which Sedan and Westy Hogan fought it out for the entire way and landed heads apart, with Westy Hogan getting the verdict. Both colts ran at top speed from tiie rise of the barrier and disputed every inch of ground, Westv Hogan Inning somewhat the worst of it because of having to go further. Both are crack colts and were cheered loudly for their game performance. John Whitlow, owner of Westy Hogan. stated this afternoon that he was not particularly anxious to dispose of that colt and lor that reason he turned down an offer of 2,500 made for him by T. C. McDowell. E. It. Bradley previously had offered 1,000 for the colt. "I am starting him today to get a line on his mud-running ability." said Mr. Whitlow, before the running of the fifth race, "and incidentally am testing him high, for he is meeting some formidable opposition in the race." Westy Hogan is well engaged in early stakes. including the breeders Futurity here, which Mr. Whitlow feels certain he will win. 1*. M. Civill. who lias been on the sick list for several weeks, was at the track luring the afternoon. Jefferson Livingston came here this morning from New York to attend the opening. Charles F. Grainger, member of the Kentucky State Racing Commission and president of the New Iouisville Jockey Club, came oer from Louisville for the opening. Captain J. T. Williams, who raced Rams Horn and other good racers, came over from his home at Spring Station. Ky., to attend the opening. Captain Williams is showing traces of feebleness. Francis J. Pons arrived this morning from his farm at Madison, Tcuu., and will remain for the rest of the meeting. Stake blanks were received this morning by horsemen from the Hamilton Jockey Club. Secretary Allie Loudon sent word to owner A. L. Kirby that lie would be here alsnit May 5 to receive entries. Many of the owners here contemplate shipping to Toronto immediately after the close ot the Lexington meeting, the opposition in Kentucky being a bit too formidable for some members of their strings. Inited States Marshal Kobert Ford visited the track this afternoon and summoned E. R. Bradley, Cliff Hamilton. Kay Speiice and others, to testify ill a suit brought by W. W. Harden against the Adams Express Company, for the destruction of his horses in a wreck last year at Terrace Park, near Cincinnati. The case comes up for hearing at Nashville, Tenn.. May 2. Woods Dickerson arrived this morning from France, where lie lias been for some time. He reports that all the trainers have discontinued the preparation of their horses and that it costs more than a dollar daily to feed each horse. Secretary Samuel Nuckols of the Kentucky State Pacing Commission, who was at the track this afternoon, stated that a license had lieen refused to jockey K. McKwen and that Casey Jones and Koy Uuy were granted licenses. These riders were suspended at Hot Springs during the recent meeting.
