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POSTPONE DAYS CARD Jefferson Park Flooded and Isolated by Heavy Rains. Racing to Be Resumed Today with Mondays Entries Standing Over Track Gossip. NEW ORLEANS, La., December IS. Terrific downpours during the last thirty-six hours caused flood conditions to prevail at the Jefferson track and adjacent territory. The heavy electric pumps installed to carry off flood -waters were inadequate and, as an abatement in the unfavorable weather did not seem in immediate prospect, it was deemed wise, in the interest of the sport, to call racing off for the day. The entries in their entirety stand and the racing program offered for this afternoon will be run tomorrow. Up until 10 :30 this morning it was still hoped that the pumps would function sufficiently to have carried off the big pools of water and permit access to the plant without serious discomfort to the patrons. Horsemen, anticipating this, went about their duties as usual around the secretarys office and some made scratches accordingly. "When announcement came that the racing was off for the day it automatically rendered void the scratches made and horsemen making them will still have opportunities to start their horses tomorrow, if they are minded to do so. POSTPONEMENT IN 1918. It is the first time that it has been found necessary to postpone the racing at Jefferson Tark since December 20 and 21, 1918. Similar action was necessary then because of flood conditions, but the installation of the heavy pumps, formerly functioning to perfection, has obviated any necessity for postponement. The present heavy downpour was entirely too much for the drainage system. The principal roadways leading to the track were many feet under water and several automobiles were overturned, while others stalled on the highways after an effort to go through the rushing torrents. Th huge racing colony put in the afternoon whiting their time away in the hotel lobbies, theaters and cafes. All kept indoors and discussed the proposed six races a day program in contemplation for the Fair Grounds instead of seven races daily. There seems to he a division of opinion in the matter, but whatever decision is reached will be without belligerency on either side. It is the aim of the horsemen and the racing association management to co-operate for the best interest of the sport. fending adjustment of the six or seven races a day program, secretary Joseph Mclennan will defer issuing his first weeks program book. It is expected that it will be distributed some time during this week. NEW TEARS HANDICAP. Entries to the ,000 New Years Handicap, which will feature the opening days card at the Fair Grounds, closes next Saturday, December 23. The nominal entrance foe of will bring a record list of nominations. There will be an additional fee of 0 to start. G. W. Primrose, who is here in the interest of the Tijuana stakes, reports that he received a splendid entry list for the stake races to be run at the Mexican track. The Fair Grounds meeting closes February 13 and numerous owners contemplate a trip to Tijuana after the close here. It was the first touch of real winter weather that has visited these parts and the sudden change from summery weather to penetrating cold and rain caused considerable discomfort. E. R. Bradley, Wm. Woodard and L. J. Carey, the latter appointed by chairman Bradley to serve on the horsemens committee in place of It. A. Smith, originally appointed, visited John Dymond, Jr., president of the Business Mens Racing Association, for consultation on several matters. J. F. Peck of Huntington, W. Va who recently entered the ranks of the owners on a fairly extensive scale, will ship Cotton Blossom and Lina Clark, two mares which he recently purchased from J. J. Ashe, to John S Wiggins Military Stock Farm near Lexington, Ky.. where they will spend the remainder of the winter. Cotton Blossom is in foal to Libyan Sands and will not be raced again until late next summer. Lina Clark will be ired.
