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AUSPICIOUS INAUGURATION Tijuanas Opening Day Most Successful in History of Track. Attendance, Enthusiasm and Volume of Speculation Surpass Former Records Handicap to Catharine Marrone. TIJUANA, Mex., December 1. Across a western sky was emblazoned at sunet last night one word to tell the story of the opening of the annual race meeting at this Mexican course Thanksgiving Day under the directing hand of president James Wood Cof-froth of the Tijuana Jockey Club. That word was enscribed in capital letters ; it was, "Successful." Yesterday was Tijuanas greatest opening. It was greatest in point of attendance, enthusiasm, volume of speculation and satisfactory racing. It achieved this record despite adverse weather and track conditions. It was a testimonial of the growth of racing in the western country. It is a prognostication for the future of racing here. It dusted cobwebs from memory to recall the western turf in its herculean strength in the time of B. J. Lucky Baldwin. It brought back to the veterans of turfdom the figures of years ago, when the breeding of the thoroughbred was the third greatest industry in California, This was transpiring before a 12,000 crowd. "This magnificent gathering is a fitting testimonial to the popularity of racing at our track. During the. 100 or more days of racing we expect many assemblages of this and far greater size, for we have spared neither time, effort, nor money to make this meeting attractive," said president Coffroth. It was a day that for weather was far behind the usual high standard which even temperature, balmy breezes and warm sunshine set for the winter period. There was a hide and seek role portrayed by sun and clouds, while underfoot it was damp. There was rain Wednesday and early Thursday morning, the track consequently being muddy, but not to that extent of last year the same amount of precipitation. Here proof was furnished that the course is better drained than heretofore and also that when fast it will be faster than ever. jSOTHEffG TO MAR SPORT. From the first race ushering in the 1922-1923 meeting to the last on the card of seven there was not a hitch to mar the sport. The enlarged plant gave added pleasure to the crowd and the official family, from judge Francis Nelson, presiding judge, to the most humble positioned employe, played their parts well. Appreciation of the attention to even the smaller details of racing was expressed from the ever-critical amusement seeker. The Tijuana race track catered to those from the four points of turfdom to a discriminating and exacting lot, for in the crowd were well-known followers of King Horse from courses of the metropolitan circuit, Kentucky, Canada and elsewhere. Some were making their first visit to Tijuana. These had their eyes opened at the high quality of the sport. Fit and ready and apparently reveling in the soft going the filly Catharine Marrone carried the colors of J. C. McKay, Reno sportsman, to victory in the inaugural handicap, a gallop of a mile and seventy yards. She was a good filly as trainer Lonnie Tryon .saddled" her. She was a speedy filly for every inch of the route for jockey Ray Carter. Her victory was by two and a half lengths and in her wake were Halu and Capt Clover for the other parts of the ,200 purse. Taking the lead at the first turn Catharine Marrone was well rated by her rider and won with consummate ease. Halu was nearest her for the greater part, but despite his game finish could never get up. Glen Well, installed favorite on account of apparent superb condition and a remarkably good work over a sloppy track Wednesday, quit badly in the last quarter. Here Capt. Clover closed a big gap for third place. Three favorites moved into the winners circle throughout the afternoon. First to arrive in the desired ring was Cavalcadour Continued oa tenth page. AUSPICIOUS INAUGURATION Continued from first page. IL, from the C Irby string. Ridden by jockey Ralls and displaying a fondness for the track this one set all the pace, was under restraint all the way and won as Ralls decreed. Then there was Kinglike, the thoroughbred with only one eye. Fleet as a bullet was this son of Hippodrome. He outran all his opponents in the sixth race and reached the finish under a snug hold, with jockey H. Smith having little to do. Incognance, slow to get into his stride, ran an attractive raca to hold second place by a neck from Cora-cutter. The third favorite was "Woodie Montgomery, winner of the final race, a gallop of an even mile. Hero the veteran jockey J. Singleton was given quite an ovation, particularly from the older followers of the horse. Singleton, 41 years of age, began riding 27 years ago and is still able to hold his own with his younger rivals. Montgomery, as is his custom, went right to the front, passed every post with the others attempting to get near, but owner Frank Irwin had sent a ready horse to the races and he won by two lengths from Rajah, with Rrank Fogarty, the second choice, being third. The wagering on opening day never experienced a lulL The employes of the thirty-one mutuel machines and the nine books had rest only during the actual running of the races. Society rendezvoused at the clubhouse, which was cheery and homelike, with new fittings and several additions and improvements. Many well-known business men of the West, distinguished men of political life, annual visitors from the fashionable Hotel del Coronado and elsewhere, made tbis their headquarters. The "easy chair," long ago made famous by being occupied by distinguished personages, was in its customary place on the broad clubhouse veranda. In it today sat president Coffroth3 most favored guest of the day. This was Mrs. Isabel Coffroth, his mother. She was accompanied by Mrs. Flora Hughes, her daughter, and Miss Treva Dawn, a well-known New York girL "Walter Dupee, who formerly raced thoi oughbreds in the West and well-known as a polo player, with Mrs. Dupee, occupied a table at the clubhouse. In a flag-draped box sat Colonel C T. Robinson and members of his staff. Colonel Robinson is the commander of the Mexican military forces at Tijuana. The horse Cock o the Main collided with another runner yesterday morning and suffered a broken back and was subsequently destroyed.
