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NEW ORLEANS TRACK BETTER » Still Slow, but Distinctly Improving Under Warm Sunshine. i i i Omond Winner Again in a Close Finish — Soldat de Verdun In First Once More. ♦ i MBW ORLEANS. La., January 20.— -The rapidly drying track waa responsible far Iraprovesaeut in the racing this afternoon, there betas ■ eeaipli anus absence aa the part at tin- riders ..f having their mounts ;iii over the eaane, and the portion next t i in* taaar rail being the accepted route in all the dashes. The weather waa again warm, aad despite the feverish interest in the rftjF kecaVM of the state-primary, involving tlie chetcc f governor ami other Ktate officials, an exceptionally geed mid-week attendance was aa hand to view the sport. Close finishes were again the rule and notion during the party running also keen. The ,0»M» purse furnished an opportunity to Soldnt de Verdun to score his fourth successive victory during the present meeting. His success this afternoon only nne after a hard drive to outstay Tailor Maid. There might have l eeu a reversal la the decision had Brieksoa, astride Raigniur. used better judgment, for lie managed to get that horse in difficulties just as he was going best of all in the stretch, when he rode into a small opening and was forced hack hy Tailor Maid. It cost him considerable ground to take back and come ;i round. M. Qataaa Omond. which has been an acrobatic performer all during the meeting, again figured la the limelight when he won the mile and seventy J arils purse after a brilliant race and managed to boat Woodtrap. Hi- showing this afternoon so c outlasted with his previous race that the stewards immediately after the finish announced that in future be would not be permitted to start when the track was muiliiv. and they M notified trainer P. Dunne. Douglas- S. was a slrongly backed favorite in the race, but he gave way in the stretch. ..iilv. however, after his rider. Rodriguez, had roughed Woodtrap. the closest contender. The stewards promptly ■aupeaded the offending rider for -ix days. Woodtrap was in at an entered price of 1MB*, nnd was claimed by J. McPherson for SM.K00. THRILLER IN OPENING RACE. The opening race, contested by two-year -olds, brought about a thrilling finish, with Marguerite Dixon, a pronounced favorite, just succeeding in getting the verdict in the last stride over Joe Tag. with Repeat in third place. Marguerite Dixon was a bit unprepared at the start, resulting la her netting away slowly, but she displayed rare ganic-noss in standing a hard drive under Howards best riding. Another favorite succeeded in the second race when Arrowhead won. but only after I hard effort aa the part of Trailer, who managed to keep him in front just long enough to finish before The Pirate and Cormornn. The worst upset of the afternoon came in the third race, la which Pickwick was a pronounced choice, but the » est he could do was to land in third place. OBrien, his rider, was partially at fault Ml taaar of bringing him wide, whereas Appl • .lack 11. and Brather Maclean were both brought the short course. Unhiding Louder, locally owned and favorite, won the sixth race after a bard task to overcome King Ne|ituiie. Dolph and Shenandoah furnished a hard duel in the final race. Dolph winning in the last fifty yards. Mountain Rose II.. which was barred from starting after his last race because of inconsistency, was reinstated this afternoon on an agreement of owner John Marino that he will assume res| si bility for the horses consistent racing in the future. Ho i- now being trainer by S. A. Clopton. J. ». Keene. recently reapimiiited to the Ken-lucky State Racing Commission by Coventor Mar-raw, was among the new arrivals this nflorno.ni. Ho will remain here for about ten days to witness the racing. Former Congressman Ceorge W. Loft. Mrs. Loft and a party of friends came from New York yesterday and they will remain several days In-fore going on to Paha Reach and Havana. Mr. Loft w.is recently appointed to the New York State Racing Commission and he will give the sport considerable of his attention on his return to New Vera.
