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ESSEX PARKS OPENING DAY CAPITAL ATTENDANCE AND EXCELLENT RACING FEATURES OF THE OCCASION. Old Rosebud, with a Heavy Impost Up, Runs a Fast Mile and Defeats Little String and Gordon Russell Narrowly. Hot Springs. Ark.. March 30. — After n lapse of tWl Ivo years. Ess, x lark again resounded with the hoof beats of thoroughbreds in action and the cheers of a big concourse of spectators. The renewal of the sport at this track, this afternoon, was in most auspicious fashion. Staid and representative citizens of this city readily fell in with the idea of Mayor MeClondons proclamation, to make the SCCaslOB a memorable one: shut up shop for the afternoon and. they and their employes, "went a racing." As a result of the augmented attendance, the oozy plant was filled almost to the crowding point. Hotting action and interest in the BBert xvas not unlike that at Oaklawn and the same oonditions were observable. There was some slight confusion at the gates when the big crowd stormed the entrances from the different trains, but this feature will lie remedied tomorrow. The train schedule xvas ideal and entailed absolutely no discomfort to the patrons, other than a walk to the dep.it. The patrons were unloaded within ton steps of the main track entrances. The club house feature appealed strongly to the socially inclined and they made the verandas of this vantage point to view the laces immensely popular. The boxes, as at Oaklawn. were also in much demand and contained many prominent personages from various sections of the country. Old Rosebud Wins in Thrilling Finish. As a feature, the mile handicap for a purse of .",0. stood out by itself and it furnished a thrilling windup. with the overwhelming favorite Old Rosebud, just managing to beat Little String and Gordon Russell. The closeness of the finish was partially due to the over-confident riding that Peak pprra Old Rosebud and his defeat xvould have been charged to him. The Applegute representative had somewhat the best of the ragged send otf and be showed a high order of speed, but in his desire not to win off too far. Peak continually kept taking tdd Kosebud back and continued the tactics, oven in view of Cordon Kussolls and Little Strings rush in the stretch. Peak awoke to his danger about seventy J arils from the finish, but at this Stage Old Kosebud showed an inclination to tire under his trying impost and just managed to get by the finish a short head in advance of Little String. with the latter, after having been taken wide on the turns, outstaying Gordon Russell by a nose for second place. The others were badly strung out. On his showing today. Old Rosebud did not indicate slaying ability under anything like a trying weight ,r.i j i M . Close Finishes Feature Afternoons Sport. The racing during the afternoon was interesting with close finishes developing in nearly all the daahee. Kilkenny, favorite in the initial race, succeeded in outstaying Sir Oliver. Ada, a well supported one. took the measure of Scrutineer, the choice in the second and Fathom, another favorite, accounted for the third. The fifth race went to Sybil, also favorite, which stood a hard drive to got up in time to overhaul Milbrey. Todays spectators included William Shannon, the original owner of Essex Iark. who promoted the first race meeting here in 19iH. Ilanovia. which was carded to start in the feature, had to bo withdrawn on account of her injury, but her ailment is not as grave as at first BBBBOBOd. According to Dr. Talbott. the good mare is in no imminent danger of losing her sight. Owner Colton exaggerated the extent of the injury after the suporf ieial examination. Following Kilkennys victory in the opener, he 0/aa claimed out of the race by A. ;. Bashr, acting for W. M. Cain, represented in the race by-Satisfied. There were twitity six layers in lino, including Sol Lichtenstcia, Tcta Shaw, "Whitey" Hook. Ed Ky.in. Bd Callahan, Joe Kltiine and other xvell-kiiwn operators.
