view raw text
CONEY ISLANDS OPENING Crowd Up to Figures Expected by, Club Officials. Mutuel Handle Pleases Management in View of Mediocre Program Offered on First Day. CINCINNATI, Ohio, July 31. Coney Island, the home of the Cincinnati Jockey Club, opened its forty-two day meeting this afternoon, the first under the newly enacted Ohio racing law and certificate system of wagering. For a Monday crowd, it was a large gathering that visited the island course, and if it augurs for the future attendance the reorganized Cincinnati Jockey Club will have a successful season. Speaking of the inaugural crowd, William V. Dwyer, president and general manager, stated: "I am glad that the crowd was up to expectation. We were forced to rush work in time to have the plant ready for the opening and although the opening program was not a brilliant one I expect to give Cin-cinnatians the best racing possible." Patrons found, instead of the hard track that prevailed at the last meeting seven years ago, a deep cushioned track which was responsible for slower time in the races, but it meant a much safer track. Included in the large assemblage were the leading citizens of Cincinnati and southern Ohio, as well as many prominent Ken-tuckians. With many of the leading stables quartered at the Ohio track, the sport is expected to be in keeping with the leading- tracks of the country. NUMEROUS SURPRISES. With only a mediocre program, the wagering did not set any records, but the management was pleased with the handle. Surprises were numerous, and one of the mild ones came with the running of the fourth race, the first at a distance greater than: a mile, for which Babee was the favorite. This resulted in a victory for the popular C. V. Whitney stable, when Simon was ridden out to beat Panther Rock, Pillnita and five other three-year-olds. The son of Broomstick and Wiggle Waggle, which accounted for his two previous starts, had the services of little Jack Mayer, and although Little Connelly outran him to the back stretch, he went to the front under light urging and increased his advantage. . While he was showing the way Little Connelly was heading Panther Rock but, near Ihe final three-eighths the latter moved, into second place and held the fast-finishing; Pillnita safe when she moved up threateningly in the final quarter. The latter and Peacock Blue were forced back when R. Finn-erty brought Babee over sharply soon after the start and for this offense the stewards meted out the first suspension of the meeting when they set him down for five days. Although Simon came to the stretch with a two length advantage, Mayer took no chances and he had the winner under urging as he came to the finish two lengths in front of Panther Rock, which was a neck "before Pillnita. After improving her position in the second quarter, Babee dropped back. BLACK COMET DISAPPOINTS. Black Comet again disappointed for the public when he failed to finish among the .placed trio in the fifth, that was for three-year-olds and over. Winning honors went to the improved Spill, with Guidess second and Angkor third. After" Nuhat and Black Comet, had shown the way to the stretch, the winner took command and increased his lead to six lengths at the finish. Although Guidess held second position throughout, Angkor Avas forced to come from far back to beat Bronx Park for the minor award. A surprise and close finish came with the running of the first race, at five and one-half furlongs, for maiden two-year-old fillies, when J. J. Griffiths Abby got up to beat the well backed Wise Dream. Wahmi was third. Ten started, and Wise Dream showed the most speed of the party. Turning for home the winner came with a rush and wore down the pacemaker in the final drive. With the Continued on twentv-second page. CONEY ISLANDS OPENING Continued from first page. exception of Miss Universe and Thunder Lou, which raced with the leaders for three-eighths, the others offered little competition. The consistent Pat C. added another victory to his seasons score when he was much the best of the ten that contested the three-quarters second race. Moane Keale was second and Fireflash third. Half Day, the second choice, was left at the posh The veteran Walter Lilley had the winner under way immediately and, disposing of Fireflash in the run to the first turn, came to the finish with nearly a three lengths advantage over Moane Keala, which supplanted Fireflash at forcing the pace after the opening quarter. Seven two-year-olds contested the five and one-half furlongs third race and it resulted in another surprise when Mrs. G. Foxs Inspection lasted to beat Lauretta Nash. Third went to the heavily backed Terrain, which beat Gracious Lady by a nose. Ridden by C. Watters, the winner raced into command soon after the start and drew away to a good lead. After reaching the stretch, Lauretta Nash moved up menacingly but the winner continued gamely to be a half length the best of the latter. On the outside of her opponents throughout, Terrain, which was held at seven to ten, headed Gracious Lady midway in the stretch but was unable to improve her position.
