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LEXINGTONS OPENING DAY 1 i Kentucky Fall Racing Begins Under Pleasing Auspices. t 1 Precious Wins the Inaugural Feature Favorites Bring Ouly Disappointment. LEXINGTON. Ky.. September 13. Kentucky racing got under way this afternoon in most auspicious fashion and promising a continuation of the banner action of the spring meetings. The attendance exceeded any former fall gathering at the track and it comprised some of the most representative persons in the state, including Governor .1. I. Rlack. this being the chief executive of the states first visit to any of the racing plants. The governor was a guest of former Senator Johnson N. Camden and occupied a seat in his private box. He took keen interest in the sport and made the presentation on behalf of the association of the cup won by Major T. C. McDowells Precious In the Phoenix Hotel Handicap, which featured an excellent card of seven races. The feature, the Phoenix Hotel Handicap at :i mile and a sixteenth, contested by a highly regarded bandr resulted in a victory for Precious, carrying the colors of T. C. McDowell. She triumphed only after a hard drive to beat Ruford. Iwin lauded in third place, with Drastic, the outstanding choice, finishing far back. After the finish Drastic and Precious were both sent out a mile and a quarter in preparation for their race in the Lexington Cup. The stewards suspended L. F. Marshall, owner and trainer for the remainder of the meeting because of intoxication and disorderly conduct. He will- h" denied the privileges, -of the. track during the period. All tiie members of the Kentucky State Racing Commission were in attendance during the afternoon. Manager R. L. Raker expressed keen satisfaction over the auspicious opening and was warmly congratulated over its success. A. R. Letellier. one of the directors and stockholders of the Business Mens Racing Association, was an arrival this morning from New Orleans. He confirmed the glowing reports from the Crescent City relative to the big improvements at the Fair Grounds. According to Mr. Letellier, the directors of the Business Mens Racing Association will shortly make known their purse offeriugs, which will, it is said, exceed any former offerings at the track and will meet with the horsemens approval. James W. McClellands Eternal was this morning sent into retirement for the winter at Xalapa Farm near Lexington. The highly regarded Westwood is in retirement until next year, having developed leg trouble that necessitated the application of firing irons to eradicate the ailment. Trainer Peter Coyne, in charge of the George J. Long horses, stated this morning that Clermont would not be raced again this year and would bo transferred to the Bashford Manor Farm to be turned out until next spring. Since having had the firing irons applied to his legs St. Bernard is not showing any signs of lameness, and owner Rrannon is sanguine . that he will regain his place in the front ranks of three-year-olds. General manager Matt J. Winn of the Kentucky Jockey Club could not attend the meeting of the Kentucky State Racing Commission this morning, or the opening here, on account of a slight illnesi that will- confine him to his room for several days. Jockey Dan Connelly will do most of- the. riding for the II. Perkins stable. Capt. James H. Rees. former veil known racing official, came over from Pittsburgh to witness the opening.
