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SANTA ANITA TRACK MUDDY Training Operations Continue Unabated Despite Adverse Weather. More Arrivals; Including Shipment from Kentucky Expect Large and Classy Field for New Year Handicap. ARCADIA, Calif., Dec. 21. As a result of the hard rains Tuesday arid during the night, mud and plenty of it confronted the trainers and the scores of thoroughbreds at Santa Anita which were slated to indulge in their training routine on the course this morning. The steady downpour did more good than harm, as it packed the racing strip, which otherwise might have provided uncertain footing. The lightning and great thunderclaps which accompanied the storms during the night served as a forecast that the rainy spell which has prevailed in this region for the past two weeks was nearing its end and an: abatement to the inclement weather was looked for in many quarters. Track conditions had no appreciable effect upon training operations and while speed was out of the question nearly 100 horses were worked over the Arcadia course, with almost a similar number braving the mud and water to indulge in short breezes at "Anita Chiquita," the five-eighths mile training track. Several more stables were added to the equine colony during the past twenty-four hours and other additions, possibly a consignment from Kentucky, shipping from the Blue Grass region, are expected before Thursday afternoon. OPENING DAY NEAR. With the opening of Santa Anita a trifle more than a week away, the pace of those directing preparations for the fifty-two-day session at the palatial course is perceptibly quickening and by the close of the week officials hope to have every department in complete readiness. During the final three days before the opening consideration by the stewards of applications for licenses will take place and all decks fully cleared before the bugle calls the field to the post for the Continued on second page. SANTA ANITA TRACK MUDDY Continued from first page. first race, which will send the meeting on its way. Replying to numerous inquiries, Charles H. "Poc" Strub, general manager of Santa Anita, .reiterated his annual announcement that "no courtesy badges would be issued for the coming meeting. We charge a rather nominal fee to enter our plant, that is, for the high class racing Santa Anita presents to its public. We have lessened the fee to witness the sport from our clubhouse, which now is only .20." IMPOSING LIST OF HORSES. An imposing line-up of horses three-year-olds and older has been submitted to racing secretary Webb Everett for the 0,000 added New Year Handicap, which closes Saturday; Pecember 24, and with the naming of Howard Hawks Warfellow, four-year-old. son of Chilhowee, brings the total number of prospective nominations to twenty-five. "I think we have the finest list of prospective starters for the 0,000 California Breeders Championship Stakes since- the race has had its inception," said secretary Webb Everett, "and while some may fail to come up to expectations, I look for from twelve to fifteen to engage in the race." The field for the first stake of the meeting will probably be drafted from among the following: L. A. "Chief" Almgrens Smoky Snyaer;i W. E. Boeings Punfrese and Kirby; William H Cutlers Homme Rouge; Mrs. G. P. Deans j Herocanet; Lori Giboneys Ardrigh; Lewis Granas Toro Play; Walter H. Hoffman, Jr.s, Crystal Count; C. S. Howards The Puma; Iron Mountain Stables Iron Bunker; Edwin Janss, Jr.s Blue Breeze; William LeBarons Retake; Senator P. J. Metzgars Sweet Jasmine; Neil S. McCarthys Pear Piary and Morning Breeze; Myron Selznicks Valley Lass; Ivon P. Parkers Rich Son; Mrs. Vanderbilt Phelps Cargador; Henry Potter Russells Hasten Henry and Punctuation, and Maj. A. C. Taylors Shasta Fitz. That array is the cream of the two-year-old division of California-bred juveniles. EIGHT RACES DAILY. Santa Anita programs will be confined to eight races a day. During the first ten days the programs include forty-one races at distances of one mile or over, while the sprinters will have a chance to participate in thirty-nine events, with six others at the intermediate distance of seven furlongs. Route racing has been featured at Santa Anita and secretary Everett hopes to furnish even a greater amount than previously.
