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AGUA CAUENTE INAUGURAL Four Days of Racing This Week Plant in Condition. Capacity Crowd Expected for Holiday Sport Clubhouse Membership Drive Proves Big Success. AGUA CALIENTE, Mexico, Nov. 23. Beautiful Agua Caliente will beckon to turf patrons Thursday afternoon, when thoroughbred racing is resumed for the 1938-39 season. Preparations for the fifty or more days, which the sport will be conducted was inaugurated weeks ago and, directed by president and general manager Lou Anger and his associates, were completed Wednesday. The opening will find every part of the ultra-modern plant in tip-top shape, the usual vast horticultural embellishment and every detail, no matter how humble, in perfect working order. The opening has been awaited with a great deal of interest and the fact that there has been no racing jn this sector since August, lends credence that the fans are ready to come out to witness their favorite horses in action. The officials are hopeful the meeting will be a success and with a break in the weather, their convictions will undoubtedly be carx-ied out as anticipated. A near capacity crowd is expected to attend Thursday and preparations to handle such a throng have been worked out. Thanksgiving Day invariably brings out one of the largest, if not the biggest gatherings of the season in this section, and this year promises to be no exception. GALA DAY. The invitational plan of issuing clubhouse memberships has proved more successful than was expected and from the number issued and the reservations for boxes and for luncheon parties, a representative cross section of social, business, civic and sports leaders of San Diego and other adjacent townships, will be on hand to collaborate in the gala opening. Truly, "King Horse" will establish court in style and will contribute greatly to the enjoyment of the pleasure seekei-s crossing the border for the holiday sojourn in carefree Mexico. The popular admission, prices of 50 cents to the grandstand and .50 to the exclusive club house should meet the approval of the racegoers. Racing will be renewed with four days of the sport opening week, but thereafter it will be confined to Saturday and Sundays, until Santa Anita opens, then only Sundays until Santa Anita closes. There will be eight races daily, the first event scheduled to. get . off at 1:30 p. m. and with the early start the fanss should arrive home before dark. The Governors Handicap, steeped in tradition and, for many years one of the,-most important events staged at Agua Caliente, will feature the opening days racing. Six of the best available from among the sprinting division have been made eligible for the race, at three quarters and the purse of 00. The winning owner will also receive a beautiful gold trophy donated by the Jockey Club. . MR. BLAZE AT TOP. Mr. Blaze, brilliant performer from the stable of CI D. Zimmerman, was given the post of honor in the weight assignment, and will carry 122 pounds in his engagement, which will include jockey N. Leroy Pierson. The Zimmerman representative will concede three pounds to J. O. Longs brilliant Faithful Maud, which achieved most of her more important triumphs at this track. Next in the weight allotments is Earl Simpsons Old Maid, which will perform under an impost of 110 pounds, which is five more than the Rancho Prospectus Wise Ace and seven above what E. E. Presnells Jack Be Nimble and Buck and Morgans Severe will tote. While the field is light in number, the contest should be a keen one throughout the six furlongs journey and will probably result in one of those photo finishes. The principal race is surrounded by a good cast of events, with no less than three of the more popular distance affairs down for decision. The "Daily Double" combination will be on the second and third races, while the Quinella will be held on the eighth, or final, race of the day. EXPERT RIDERS. A large and expert jockey colony will be on hand to guide the various performers in their engagements when the meeting commences for its long run of fifty or more days. Among those veteran riders who have checked in are Vere Thompson, N. Leroy Pierson, Donald Morgan, Harry McGahan, Owen Webster, Clarence E. Owens, W. Lass-well, " R. Christensen, T. Carter, A. Fermin, E. Phillips, Don Neal, F. Wilbourne, C. F. Smith, W. Losee, Donald McCown and E. E. Phillips. Leading the apprentices are R. "Buddy" Robinson and Hasker Lasswell. Several other members of the saddle are expected to arrive here before the opening. James Donovan, dean of American starters, will officiate at the gate. Donovan needs no introduction to the fans of this section, having displayed his skill for several years. The Agua Caliente starting gate will be used. This modern device was erected under the supervision of the late Harry Mor-rissey, who had ho peer when it came to sending the horses on their way.
