European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 24, 1989, Darmstadt, Hesse                                King Neptune sketch at left opened the unusual met on the North spa Thorp. Fly ing hooves along the sea Story and photos by Ken Clauson  Bureau  Oplin splashed through wet Sand and mud As thousands cheered. The Singer s namesake came on Strong but finished out oflht1 Money in the seventh rate of Germany s 19119 duh net . The meet is held on who is perhaps thoroughbred rating s most unusual track the tidal Flats of a North sea Beach. An event that began As an informal local festival and Challenge match for farm horses has evolved into an annual meeting Complete with racing forms electronic belting machines and throngs of people ranging from barely dressed Sun seekers to the Sun halted bejewelled  Ducept for interruptions during world wars i and ii the race has been held every year since 1902. When the tide goes out at Cuxhaven Duhnsen it goes Way out extending the Beach or Miles. A one Kilometre course Stakel out with poles driven into the Sand becomes a track for thoroughbred and harness racers. This year the near Side Straightaway was fairly dry. But on the Seaside stretch horses t hurried up wet Sloppy Sand and splashed through shallow puddles. The Only clean riders were those who stayed in front from Start to finish. To pay homage to the event s origins one race featured working farm horses and Amateur riders. An exhibition Pony race was Ridden by teen agers. Spectators watch the races from rented Wicker Beach Cabanas or from the levee just behind them. A Walkway on the opposite Side of the levee is lined with food and beverage vendors belting tents stages for musical groups and a Cool Down Yard for horses and riders. The warm sunny weather helped attract some 12,000 spectators this year race organizers said about 2.000 More than the 19bb event. By racing standards the betting is Small time the Day s bets total less than those placed on a single race at Many major meets. Still some 1.15,000 Marks about $69,590 were wagered this year up from about 117,000 Marks about $60,.100 last year