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Can‘t you just imagine! * Bacon without eggs. Beer without pretzels. Sears without Roebuck. Howard Cosell without a ‘miâ€" crophone. The field jockeys for position at the start of Saturday‘s second race at _ in inset Elmira eventually won by Bill Kirkpatrick‘s Count Alcantara (5). Meanwhile, hoots in Opening day? Don‘t bet on it... Elmira Raceway would stage its opening 1981 harness racing card Saturday as planned. That was the good news. The bad news was, due to a continued computer foulâ€"up, there would be no pariâ€"mutue!l wagering. Harness racing with no betting? Surely you jest. A story not to be missed. $ The windâ€"whipped reporter, his camera, ball point and little pink body chilled to the quick, stood at the north end of the track Saturday, waiting imâ€" patiently as a broken sulky forced a secondâ€" race recall. Suddenly, an imposâ€" ing figure came chugâ€" ging against the unseaâ€" sonal gale, all the while nattering about his misfortune. The news flashed late Thursday afternoon over the airwaves, too late for the evening daily, too late for the two weeklies in town, but also too late to cancel the program. By Rick Campbell Chronicle Sports Editor There is little to be found. A few startled patrons, unaware of the circumstances, growl about the violaâ€" tion of their privilege. A few more curse the Not impressed, the reporter retreats to the grandstand, in search of real controversy. favorite combo. Would have had it for sure. I always bet the 5â€"2 combo." "I think it (suspenâ€" sion of wagering) was wellâ€"taken by the pubâ€" lic, I think people unâ€" derstood we were tryâ€" ing to avoid much worse problems," said Elmira Raceway genâ€" eral manager Rod Seilâ€" ing from his Erbsville home Monday. "Even without the betting, we figure there were at least 800 or so who came Saturday, it was encouraging to see so many turn out." locked doors at the beer lounge. But for the majority of the estiâ€" mated 800 racing fans in attendance, it is just another day at the track. The root of the probâ€" lem, causing a week‘s postponement in openâ€" ing day, then Saturâ€" day‘s suspension of waâ€" gering, liese with the brand new computer Some story, that ‘"‘It‘s a programming problem, yes the same one that caused last week‘s cancellation," stated Seiling. "It‘s in the process of being corrected, but the deciâ€" sion was made that rather than rush it and risk developing further problems, we would not go with it until we were completely sure. ‘"‘The decision was made to preserve our integrity and as a safeâ€" guard for the public. We could have taken a chance with it, maybe nothing would have totalisator network that ironicatly has been installed to insure streamlining of the pariâ€"mutuel system. Even more ironic was the first message transmitted by the spanking new tote board. ‘*Welcome to Elmira Raceway...No wagering today." in inset photo, first race winner Emma C. Lee doesn‘t seem to give two hoots in the winner‘s circle about the message on the board behind her. As a result, the anâ€" nouncement came out Saturday that future racing would be susâ€" pended until Saturday, May 2. But because a legal draw had been made for last Saturâ€" day, and horsemen had made commitments to appear, the track was obligated to run its 10â€"race card, at an esâ€" timated loss of $7,500 in purses. Considering the bruâ€" tally cold wind and early season condiâ€" tions, the races were run in fine style, and almost incident free save for the broken bike, and another steed who fell after taking a bad step. Patrons, most of whom gathered in the glassâ€"enclosed grandâ€" stand. seemed sympaâ€" gone wrong, but we felt it wasn‘t worth the risk." thetic to the track‘s misfortune, buzzed as the fourâ€"legged athâ€" letes shifted into high gear down the backâ€" stretch, and rose in unison for the customâ€" ary stretch run. Obâ€" viously, in at least one circle, their fondness of the sport had not been accorded its due credâ€" it. "I don‘t see the muâ€" tue?l problem affecting their (patrons) enthuâ€" siasm at all," said Seilâ€" ing, *"Sure it‘s disapâ€" pointing for us but I see a light at the end of the tunnel, when the sysâ€" tem gets going we‘ll be providing the public with a fantastic serâ€" vice." To tie up loose ends, the track has applied to the Ontario Racing Commission for two additional race dates, the 18th and 25th of **You see that?" he barked. ‘*The 5â€"6 combo. My favorite numbers. I always May (Mondays). The lounge wasn‘t open Saturday because the TV monitor patrols were not fully hooked up for use, and all loyal patrons who showed up received free proâ€" grams in addition to passes allowing them free admission to the May 2 matinee card. The bottom end of the "‘daily double" now in the books, the reâ€" porter headed out of the track that withâ€" stood theoretical conâ€" troversy and came through with flying colors, waiting patientâ€" ly like a seasoned mare in her stall anticipating better days ahead. Looming largely, out of nowhere as before, came nattering Ned.