view raw text
RUINS GOOD PROGRAM Heavy Morning Shower Plays Havoc With Tuesdays Card Changed Track Conditions Reduce Size of Fields Favorites Win the Main Races. - - NEW ORLEANS, La., Feb. 12. Small fields of mediocre calibre racers furnished the sport at the Fair Grounds today" The depletion of the original program was tlic result of a heavy shower during the morning that changed track conditions, but it was far better than expected for racing. Mud performers were favored, but the going was rot diflicult to negotiate for those with a liking for firmer footing. The feature races were reduced by withdrawals to four-horso fields, the chief contenders in both races declining. In the mile and a sixteenth dash Setting Sun, an overwhelming favorite, won with ridiculous ease. The only thrill furnished the spectators was during the earlier part of the race when Shamrock and Isosceles, racing almost as a team, were ten lengths in advance of Setting Sun. It opened possibilities for Setting Suns overthrow, but Wallace roused the Bryson representative after reaching the three-quarters post and thereafter Setting Sun came with great strides and disposed of Isosceles with ease in the last eighth to win easing up. Shamrock was a good distance behind Isosceles with Buddugie so far outclassed that . the. others had almost returned to weigh in before he hove in sight. Tnjbj-secondary, feature WHmjjry theTViz- . ard had the cali and betting wisdom was again correct for Parke took him into a good lead and won well in hand from Mercury. The latter, racing well in the last eighth, overhauled James F. OHara for second place. Better Times, the only other starter, was beaten off. CELEBRITIES IX ATTENDANCE. Considering the ordinary program, a generous attendance, including many first-time visitors, was on hand to witness the racing. Among the notables in evidence were Pav-lowa, the famed dancer, and champion Jack Dempsey, who tarried for another day to engage in the sport. Backers of favorites suffered in the inaugural pair of dashes by the failures of Goldfield and Sequel. Goldfield was in with maidens and showed the way until the last eighth, where he suddenly began tiring and was beaten by Amity Clairm, carrying the I j Greentree StaDles colors. There were good things galore in the race, but none of the extensively backed ones figured in the result. Sequels showing was a dismal one. The gray I illy was outrun at all stages of the race and failed of even getting a portion of the purse. Venizelos won handily from Sagamore, with Hysteria in third place. Pequot. under Parkes good riding, proved best in the fifth race. He indulged Raffles with the lead until the last eighth, where he forged into the lead and won by a length. Freezy Sneezy just did manage to land in third place under his weak ride. High Gear managed to get home in front of a bad band that took part in the sixth race. Yorick followed him and Kirklcving-ton succeeded in getting up for third place. The concluding dash found Martha Moore, favored by her light impost, leading the others home, with Permarco in second place and Tex third. Tex raced as if best. E. Martin had the mount and showed bad judgment in riding him all over the track in the early part and was unequal to help him to any extent in the stretch. Champion Jack Dempsey is aspiring to figure in the ranks of owners and is in quest of some likely material to carry his silks next summer. He intends to purchase several horses to form the nucleus cf a stable to be raced in the East. With no more rain falling during the night the track will again be fast for tomorrows racing.