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AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING AT LEXINGTON BIG CROWD PRESENT ♦ ■ Old Kentucky Association Course Scene of Brilliant Opening. ♦ Rain and Changed Track Conditions Fail to Dampen Enthusiasm or Spoil the Racing. ♦ LEXINGTON, Ky., April 28— Kentucky racing for this year was ushered in this afternoon at the Kentucky Association track under somewhat adverse weather conditions, but in brilliant fashion and with more enthusiasm displayed than in former years. The auspicious beginning is an augury for the success of the meetings to follow at Louisville and Latonia. A more representative gathering could not be found anywhere than that which assembled at the Lexington track. They took a refreshing interest in the proceedings and cheered lustily the efforts of the contending horses and jockeys. The strong hold that racing has on the affections of the people in this section waa manifest this afternoon when despite the adverse weather conditions an attendance of record proportions welcomed the inauguration of the sport for this year. It was an outstanding tribute to the thoroughbred, the management of the newly reorganized Kentucky Association and an echo of disapproval to those who are seeking to destroy racing or attempting to arouse and adverse sentiment against it in this state. A terrific downpour of rain occurred during the night and continued uninterruptedly throughout the morning and until after the first race, when there was a temporary ces-i sation. It was surprising to the manage- ment that such an immense crowd should wend its way to the course under the circumstances. Had the weather remained favorable the attendance would have estab-: lished a lasting record. As a result of the changed track there were numerous withdrawals, in some of the instances the better ones were absentees, but the racing did not suffer materially, the fields on the whole being well balanced. ANNA M. HUMPHREY UNBEATEN. The Ashland Oaks, with its $.1,000 added, was the outstanding feature, and it brought to the post a quartet of three-year-old fillies, including Anna M. Humphrey and Sweetheart, both with an extensive following. Anna M. Humphrey continued her winning ways and remains undefeated and with her record of no horse ever having been in front of her in her racing career, for she moved instantly into the lead this afternoon and continued in the van for the entire jour-j ney, ultimately to win with much in reserve in the fine time of 1 A0%. Sweetheart waa close in pursuit during the entire race and Great Luck bad practically no opposition for third place. The net value of the stakes to the winner amounted to ,030. Anna M. Humphreys victory and the easy manner in which she achieved it. instanoy caused her to be given Kentucky Derby con-I sideration. Her performance and the in»-j pressiveness of her racing action throughout the mile over the heavy track and the tine fashion in which she pulled up could not be discounted. Her owner, J. C. Milam, waa highly elated and when asked if she would he among the starters in the big race on May ID. promptly replied: "She is certain to start, barring a mishap, and I firmly be- lieve she will win." The filly has grown ar.d is of the sturdy type. She is a quick beginner, is equally at home on a dry- track, baa never been headed arid is ceitain to secure an advantageous position in a big held. To the critics hate she qualities as well as any of the three -year-olds for Kentucky Derby honors. DONGES» FIRST ATTEMPT. The introductory dash, which brought to the post some good sprinters, resulted in a victory for Marvin May. which beat home My Reverie after a shaking up. Donges. a Kentucky Derby prospect, landed in third place. The second race witnessed the downfall of the New Orleans crack. Black Cold. He waa beaten by a small margin by Digit, carrying the colors of Hal Price Headley. Black Cold was pounds the best, but he was unprepared at the start and had to be ridden wide for the entire race. Hal Price Headley nearly annexed the other two-year-old dash on the card when his Hello narrowly missed overhauling Span- ish Rose. The latter was the longest-priced winner of the afternoon. Blight Lady, which I finished third, was probably best in the race, I but her outer post position caused her to j _ Coutiuued on twelfth v-ige. ] J J j , , , , , j | ! j ! j j I | I j I I j I i , I | i j | ! 1 ! ] i ] ■ • [ ■ • : I 1 ; 1 • ■ " I BIG CROWD PRESENT Continued from first page. be away tardily and she lost ground by going around the others. There was considerable betting attention for J. C. Milams Sarah Day in the race, but she raced greenly and swerved during the entire stretch racing. T. P. Hayes started off the year auspiciously when his Pumps, under a good ride by J. Corcoran, accounted for the third, with Megan second and Fantoche third. Bullet Proof beat Golden Floss and Glyn in the fourth race. The closing race fell to Evelyn White, with Alameda Girl in second place and Cantilever linishing third. The winner was always in the van. Chicago. Louisville and Cincinnati sent extensive representations for the opening. The Louisville and Cincinnati crowds returned to their respective cities tonight. John L. Hor-gan was among the Ciminnatians. Colonel Matt .1. Winn departed for his liime in Covington to spend Sunday with his family, and will return to Louisville Monday. He stated that progress was being made on the extensive Churchill Dotfvns improvements and next week will find the work completed.
