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SNOW STORM PREVENTS OPENING AT BOWIE -« - - z INAUGURAL CARD POSTPONED e Same Program Stands for Todays Racing— Big Crowd at Station Disappointed Because of Weather Man— Transportation Crippled » BALTIMORE. Md., April 1. — For the second time In its history the Southern Maryland Agricultural Association found it necessary, by stress of weather, to declare off a day I of racing at Bowie this afternoon. la the early morning the snow tegan falling, and although it was promised that it I would not prevent the racing until about noon, the storm continued to gather in violence until finally it was decided that no attempt would be made to open the gates. An immense crowd had gathered in the terminal of the W. B. and A., where the ele-- Stric line leaves for the course, and in spite of the weather the crowd would undoubtedly have been a large one. Trains were being filled up rapidly and the first announcement was that there would surely be racing. Then later came the word from headquarters that no attempt would be made to race. The card will stand for tomorrow, but the way in which the snow continued to fall during the day made it appear possible that still another postponement may become necessary. The streets were rapidly becoming all but impassable, and while the temperature is mild the snow fell in such volume that trouble was experienced in keeping the street cars running. This will be the most serious handicap for tomorrow, for the V. B. and A. electric line is not particularly well equipped to keep its tracks clear, and it is the only line to travel to the race course. The snowfall is by far the largest that has been experienced in Baltimore all year, and is much greater than that of snmn years back, when it was found necessary to eali off the sport. In the allotment of dates for this season there is open time between the close of Bowie and the opening of Havre de Grac--. and it is probable that the Maryland Pacing Commission will grant Bowie one of tlw days, to give the track its full complement of racing days. WARS TO LAST MINUTE. James P. OHara waited until the last minute before calling the sport eff, but as tie storm showed no chance of abatement the decision was reached. It was really necessary to continue the same entries for the, racing of Wednesday, for the reason that the storm kept horsemen themselves away frr-m the track and it is doubtful if tho races for Wednesday would have filled sufficiently to bring about good sport. The entries were invited, but when the postponement came they were declared void and tins program merely went over. Monday gave every promise of delightful weather for the inauguration, and had it not been for the storm the chances are that it would have been the most brilliant opening ever enjoyed by the Southern Mar j tend course. An evidence of what Tight have been was had by the crowd that braved the driving snow and waited in the station for the making up of the race trains. Track superintendent Pending had his harrows out in an endeavor to keep the track as clear as possible of the snow, and as far as was possible mix it in the track surface, but tic-snow was constantly gaining on the teams, and it fell in such density that it was almost impossible at times to see the backstretch. The postponement of the races -will work a hardship on some of the horses that had 1 een considered as potential eligihles for the Inaugural Handicap. They were worked Sunday for the running Tuesday and now. of course, it is impossible to do anything with them until the running tomorrow. Thia may find some of them a hit lilh d up. and just that sharpening work short of a beat effort. The snow will also make the track deep and holding tomorrow, for it will le well churned up and there does not seem to be any danger of its fief ling, though as a matter of fact the snow itself was altogether Unexpected and hardly any other weather cindition would be surprising. Jack Piiliardson reported this morning that Curtis, after getting the best of bis exercise boy, ■topped on a broken bottle and inflicted light injuries. Top Sergeant swerved into the fence smile being exercised and suffered skin bruises. There were quite a few arrivals from Sew York this morning, but very few essayed the journey to the track. James F. OHira announced late during the afternoon that todays postponement would be made up at the end of this meet-ing. There is a three days difference between the closing here and the opening at Havre de Grace and racing would be continued through till Monday.
