view raw text
KENTUCKY AUTUMN RACING Lexington Meeting of Ten Days Begins This Afternoon. Hotels Crowded and Stable Room at a Premium Fine Opening Day Card Provided. By J. L. Dempsey. Lexington, Ky., September 11. Kentucky fall racing will be ushered in here tomorrow under conditions that promises well for the sport. There lias been a steady stream of turfmen here during the last twenty-four hours from all parts of the country who have filled the leading hotels to capacity. Stabling room at the track lias been exhausted and space on the outside has been requisitioned, to house many of the racers that intend to engage in the meeting. Secretary Shelley tersely summed up the situation anent the number of horses avail-aide by remarking "We have all the old horsemen with us again and many newcomers from the east and Canada." The adverse weather that has prevailed here recently is responsible for a somewhat light card for the opening day, but what it lacks in iiantity, is amply made up in quality, for many of the stars in these parts will be seen under colors. The track is rapidly approaching its best condition and as the weather prediction for tomorrow is "fair and warmer," an immense attendance should be on hand for the; inauguration of the ten days meeting. The plant, while not having undergone any improvements since last spring, excepting an application of whitewash to fencing and trees, shows but slight traces of wear and is in complete readiness for the racing. The usual rumor of many improvements to the track to bring it up to a state of modernism for next springs racing is already going the rounds. The arrival of G. W. Lofts Futurity winner Papp is awaited -with considerable interest. He is due to arrive here with K. D. Alexanders Escoba, runner-up in the Futurity. Trainer W. J. Young feels sanguine that Escoba will turn the tables on his recent conqueror, over a track other than a muddy one. "Escoba was unlucky," said Mr. Young today, "to have to make his trials over tracks that were unsuited to him, whereas Papp was favored by a wet track. I have every confidence in Escobas ability to reverse the decision with Iapp on a good firm track." VIVA AMERICA IN HIGH FAVOR. While Papp and Escoba are receiving the most attention for the honors that go in the Lexington tracks chief fixture, there are any number who predict that both will be taken into camp and that Viva America will lie the one to turn the trick. Arrivals today from St. Louis were numerous. They report that the meeting just closed at Max-welton Park, considering the new betting system and adverse weather for most of the time, was a good one and that it promises considerably for the future. Several arrivals from New Orleans this morning report that work lias been started on the Jefferson parish track and that the builders liope to have the plant completed for racing by Thanksgiving day. A. K. Macombers western trainer, Thomas Murphy, today phoned Judge Shelley that lie will send several of his horses over from Louisville. There are over 000 horses here and the riding colony numbers forty-two. The State Pacing Commission will meet here tomorrow morning, as per its adjournment at Latonia on July 4. General Manager John Ilaehmeister of the Douglas Park and Latonia Jockey Clubs, will be here to attend the meeting. The semi-annual meeting of the Thoroughbred Horse Association members will be held Saturday evening at 8 oclock in the Phoenix hotel. William Woodard has a broken finger as the result of his holding onto the halter shank of a yearling that was trying to get away from him. Colonel W. E. Applegato and Harry Laudeman were among the arrivals today. 1$. J. Brannon of Kansas City, owner of two of the best-looking yearlings here, came in during the day. A. L. Kirby came in last night and his horses arrived from Louisville this morning. Jake Holt-man, former starter, came from the east.
