view raw text
RACINGS GLORIOUS RETURN ATTENDANCE IS 20,000 Gather at Hawthorne to Welcome Return of Thoroughbred. 4 Great Enthusiasm Prevails and Wonderful Ovation Tendered to Exterminator. A gathering of approximately 20,000 enthusiastic Chicagoans and many visitors crowded grandstand, lawns and infield at Hawthorne Saturday to welcome the return of the thoroughbred and racing to Illinois. It was a wonderful demonstration on the part of the citizens of this western metropolis in favor of an opportunity to enjoy the same pleasures and privileges shared by the people of New York, Maryland and Kentucky. No more convincing evidence that Chicago wants racing could be offered than that furnished by the thousands who journeyed to Hawthorne yesterday. It was an enthusiastic, cheerful, happy throng that wended its way to the little hamlet of Cicero, where Hawthorne is located. . They came by train, elevated, service lines and countless automobiles and taxi-cabs of all descriptions. The automobile roads were blocked for a mile approaching the track. How the drivers of these cars extricated themselves none but they could explain. Nevertheless they reached the track and joined the happy throng. There was a 100-piece band to entertain the crowd, while banners and flags flew from every available post. The reconstructed track, although showing some of the scars of time and Avar usage, nevertheless presented an inviting appearance and pleased the big gathering. EAGER FOR RACING. But it was not the track or the surroundings that interested the spectators. They wanted to see some real racing and great was the cheers that rang out as the bugle called the horses to the post for the opening race. The big attraction, of course, was Exterminator. Many who had never visited a race course before were on hand to see the celebrated American champion run against the mile and a quarter time. This exhibition was staged between the fourth and fifth races. A great cheer greeted Mr. Kilmers wonderful horse as he appeared on the course. The tremendous crowd simply went wild at the mere sight of this famous racer and from the time the big fellow was led onto the track until he was blanketed and returned to his stable hardly a person in the stand was seated. It was an ovation that partly pays the debt Chicago owes to W. S. Kilmer for his sportsmanship in bringing such a horse here. Exterminator .did not break Dodges record of 2:04 and it was hardly expected that he would over a newly constructed course that a few weeks ago was covered with weeds and bore no resemblance to a race course. The very fact that the sport-loving citizens of Chicago were able to see this wonderful racer in action was sufficient. It-served the purpose for which his generous owner sent him here, to help revive racing in Chicago. TROPHY FOR EXTERMINATOR. In addition to the cup which the Illinois Jockey Club presented to Willis Sharpe Kilmer for bringing his champion, Exterminator, to Hawthorne, a magnificent horseshoe wreath, which was designed by George Wein-hover, a member of the club, was also placed over the champions neck at the finish of his brilliant running against Dodges track record of 2 :04 for one mile and a quarter distance. From a racing standpoint the best contest of the day came with the running of the Cudahy Handicap, at a mile and a sixteenth. Five horses started, with Ten Can the favorite. Coyne threatened to make a runaway of it by dashing into a big lead and setting a terrific pace, the half in 49, excellent for the new track. Entering the stretch, however, he tired suddenly and Dantzic, under F. Murphy, hustling in soon passed him and outgamed him in the final strides, drawing clear right at the end. Coyne held second place safe, and Ten Can was third. Dixie Dick, Bond, Tuscola and "War Penny were the other winners during the afternoon and after every contest the public showed their pleasure by loud . and prolonged cheering.
