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KENTUCKY RACING SEASON OPENS TODAY p. Centennial Year to Be Commemorated at Notable Old Lexington Track — — • Eight Races, Including the Ashland Oaks as Outstanding Feature, Carded for Inaugural Program — Outlook Bright for Wonderful Meeting LEXINGTON, Ky.. April 23. — The opening of the Kentucky racing season tomorrow, over the historic Kentucky Association track, will carry added history for American racing for it commemorates the one-hundredth year since the sport was first inaugurated over the course. President Sewell Combs and general manager Thomas Scott have been untiring in their efforts to make the occasion a gala one, and have left nothing undone that would assist in making the centennial feature a memorable one. Notables from all parts of the country have sent assurances of their intention to be present for the centennial festivities. An elaborate souvenir book, detailing a complete history of the track and embracing some of its most pronounced feature happenings since-the first race meeting held over the track in 1826, will be distributed to all the ladies in attendance tomorrow. There will be many old timers on hand who have witnessed many notable struggle-s over the track by stars of the dim distant past, but there will be none in evidence who can boast of having witnessed the first race run over the track. i - — e fiand l.rn" Eor some CAm0 reason rA-icnn *K» the rw* eve /l" of iii.iuiM.p.t;.. inaugurating r l.rn" Eor some CAm0 reason rA-icnn *K» the rw* eve /l" of iii.iuiM.p.t;.. inaugurating r the present Kentucky season finds interest in the sport more wholesome. There is a general air of "peppyness" on all sides. It seems to have inoculated everyone that has any connection with the sport. In no former year has the opening been so surcharged with expectancy. Its a healthy barometer and an augury for a highly successful season of sport not alone at this track, but at Louisville, Latonia, Raceland and Dade Park. ABUNDANCE OF HORSES. Indicative of the general feeling and the eagerness of the owners to cooperate is that eight races have been carded for tomorrows opening. This is the first time in the history of racing on the three "L" circuit that this has happened, excepting on the occasion at Latonia. several years ago, when Worth and Sprite engaged in a sportsmans match and decided supremacy, with the only stake they raced for, a silver cup. Surrounding this notable event were several other races to complete the card. In former years, on many occasions, secretary Shelley and his staff of assistants were put to a hard effort to secure enough entries to arrange his inauguration offering. This year there has been an excess number of entries to all the original programmed races and it was found necessary to split one of the races and announce eight races. it is probable that because of the greater number of horses here this year and their well advanced stage of training will result in eight race programs to be given at least on those days when stakes are carded for decision. THREE SPECIAL FEATURES. The card for the opening is featured by the Ashland Oaks, with thirteen entered asd embracing some of the best three-year-old fillies in this part of the country. The secondary features are the Phoenix Hotel Handicap and the William S. Rarnes Memorial. The former brings to the post highly regarded performers that will try issue in stakes to be decided later in Kentucky and other racing courses. Two-year-olds will have opportunity on two occasions during the afternoon. Roth races will be over the half mile distance and considerable interest attaches to these, dashes as among those entered are sev.-ral highly rated ones that have performed brilliantly in private trials. Cloudy weather prevails at present, but it is unlikely that there will be more rain before post time. The racing strip is a trifle slow, but should improve steadily. The improvements that have been made to the plant since last fall has altered and bettered its appearan.e. The most notable in this direction is the construction of a pa-villian in the upper section of the grandstand to be used exclusively for ladies and where they can make their own wagers and doing away with messengers formerly necessary. The betting pavillion has also been made more spacious and E. Wiedkamp, in charge of the mutuel department, will embrace 140 employes. The six new stables that were built during the winter has enabled the management here to accommodate 200 more hors.-s than formerly. The advance guard of racing enthusiasts began arriving yesterday and continue i Coutiuuc-d ou sixtcenUi page KENTUCKY RACING TODAY Continued from first pa?e steadily all during the day and tomorrow the early hours will find delegations arriving from Bouisville, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Bonis. B is predicted that the opening days attendance, regardless of weather conditions, will break former records. Among the visitors during the day at the track were George M. Hendrie, noted Canadian sportsman and principal owner of the Windsor track. Colin Campbell and Oeorgc 11. C.iddings were other distinguished Canadians to come for the opening. What action was taken by the license committee, who concluded their labors yesterday. is still clouded. They submitted last night to chairman Thomas Combs, of the Kentucky State Bacing Commission, a written report accompanied by a complete list of licenses granted. Ac oiiip.iii; ing also was the list of those licenses tabled, refused, and to those they had granted probationary licenses. B is said that several were denied licenses. Four or five had their applications tabled. with permission to withdraw their applications. It is also said that in BOOM instances the license committee were deadlocked and action would be taken by the commission members.
