National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-05
THE BRIGHTWOOD TRACK.
FAIL MEETING OF THE WASHING
TON DRYING ASSOCIATION.

TT5F PREI,IHINARIEs FOR THE COMING
RACEs-A REVIEW OF THE TRACK-IM-
PRuyEMEHTs RECENTLY MADE-ENTER-
PRISE AND DETERMINATION OF THE
MANAGERS.
As the time approaches for the fall meeting Of
the Washington Driving Association: the interest
in the proposed races increases In proportion, and
the general comment foreshadoHs that the under
taking will De o success. The efforts being made
by the officers Of the association demonstrate the
asct that they are not Indifferent to the Wants'of
their patrons, and will contribute to their comfort
so faras the means Of the association will admit.
For yearspast the capital Of the nation has stood
in the background so far as turf sports were con-
cerned. Owners Of fast and valuable racers re-
siding n this city vicinity, If DESTROYS Of exhib
iting or speeding their horses, have been COM
PEELED to look elsewhere Tor encouragement or ap-
probation, and as q consequence trotters from
distance would not be brought here, as nOdnduce-
pepse Of TRANSPORTATION Of the animals would be
realized at the gate Of the track for probably not
Wines The trials of speed, and the men 70 whom
the animals belonged wisely concluded that the
distance and expense was too great for the pur-
for exercise. Recently the only races noted have
been those between what might have been termed
IOns ss 70 hys Scansd eSsD Inc recoe
tion Of the oldest inhabitant and it Is exceeding
~ doubtful If the memory could be refreshed by
IigsHcsr.
THE TRACK IN THE PAST
From time to time It has been announced that
Honest John, Sleepy Dan, Charlotte Hall, Mos
COW and others of about the same calibre would
trOt for a purse of from 800 to 800. Well the
publication would probably draw out two hun
alter reaching the track, that it was only race
on paper; no money was put up, and all that
would be trOtted for was that received as the
price Of admission. This manner of humbugging
would not bear frequent repetition, and as
consequence when race was announced between
the Worn-out rOadsters the audience was slim,
and continued growing smaller, until their trOt-
ting was a matter of indifference to the cOmmU-
nifty generally, and the gate-money dodge ceased
to operate. Another cause for objection was the
poor condition Of the track which was not mt Ter
trotting purposes; and no man who possessed
valuable animal would allow him "speeded"
there while it remained in that state. Then com
bined with this was the poor accommodations fer
patrons. Almost opposite the Judges stand was q
row of uncovered, narrow, dilspidsted seats, rot
ten by exposure to the weather, and not large
enough in space for the use Of One hundred per-
sons. Rickety from age, 1t was unsafe for many
men to occupy them at one time-WOmen never
did for If not satisfied to remain in their vehicles
they could stand on the ground or return home,
which privilege was also accorded the men.
These for some years past have been the accom-
mOdations and the condition of affairs at the
trOtting track at the nations capital.
A NEW DEPARTURE.
It was not astonishing that racing appeared to
be discouraged here, and 1t became the prevail
ing opinion that turf sports in this vicinity were
QeHQ lOT iii TING, DeyOuu any pOsslDl6 nOpc VI
resurrection, simply because the actions Of few
had served TO place the stamp Of death upon the
course by the disgraceful spirit seeming to inspire
those having control over IL. But fortunately
there were men in the city, friends to the horse
and the track, that did not believe the days for
racing here were gone forever. witnessing the
the country, and believing If we'll conducted one
might exist here, they resolved to make the effort
and see if the interest in the track could not be
revived. Accordingly some fifteen or twenty gen.
tlemen last winter banded themselves together
and organized the Washington Driving Associa-
ton. The first step in the right direction was
promptly taken by applying for and receiving ad-
mission into the general association, which now
controls about one hundred and thirty tracks
throughout the United States, and is q safeguard
and protection to horsemen, jockeys and turfmen
generally; as where man, for violation OF the
his horses from participating in q race on any
other under the control Ofthe general association,
until renstated by the association that first ruled
him off, After getting thus far the association,
although in its infancy, determined to inRugur-
ate its organization by giving spring meeting,
which it did, and with what success the read
ers Of The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN are perfectly
conVersant. This unlooked-for OutpOuring Of the
citizens to witness fair and square racing was
most gratifying to the members, and being so
strongly Endorsed in the movement they deter
mined 10 secure control Of the track, make altera-
lions and Improvements and give a fall meeting
that would eclipse the one that took place in the
spring. With this purpose in view they have
worked through the summer, and on Wednesday
next will have the races Of the hrst class.
IMPROVEMENTS RECENTLY MADE
The changes that have been made at the park
will surprise many that have not trequented the
track recently and show marked improvement on
the old condition Of affairs. The upper and
lower turns Of the track have been widened about
ten feet, making room for seven horses to trot
abreast and viii cause them to lose less time
while going round these short sides. The back
track has also been widened, and the low brush
next the fence that overhung the track removed
and that ground thrown into the course. The fine,
shapeIy oak that spread it's branches almost oP-
posite the entrance has been cut down, and the
track now takes in the earth where it was i'm
bedded. 1t is being narrowed, scraped and raked,
and men are now employed picking out all the
stones, so that by the meetinH-day it will be in
up-top order. A much needed change, and one
for which the ladies will feel especially grateful
is the new entrance TO the park, made for their
exclusive accommodation. 1t has been repeated
complaint by them that on entering the course
they were compelled to pass the hotel, through
the carriage-yard or by the stables, where men
merits Of the different horses about to figure in
the race; a conversation in which they were not
particularly interested, or the language gener-
This trouble has now been obviated by making
second entrance, on the east side Of the park,
shove the house, and on the private road leading
the northeast side has been completed, and con-
tains twelve box-stals, 10 by Il feet, very large
and commOdiOus, and above each is q loft for the
groom of the horse occupying the stall below,
which he can use stOre-roOm or bunking place,
If so desired. Each stall can be locked up, and
there is no possible connection between them
the inside, the partitions being paneled on both
sides. In the rear is q large shed to be used q
place OF shelter for the sulkeys.
The Judges stand is a decided improvement on
the old box that had the name. The new one is
n commodiOus three-stOry building, divided into
q weighing ROOM press-rOOm, and at the top the
judges place, from which perfect view Of the
entire grounds can be had with ease. One stand
Judges stand. and another for ladies and gentle
men with ladies q few feet further north. Both
will be covered, and, 1t is thought, ample in size
to accommodate two thousand people. a small
fence will run between these stands and the track
down to the entrance, in order to keep the crowd
back from the course especially when a race is in
progress. The fences are being rebuilt, and to-
day large force Of Whitewashers will be put to
work on everything wooden about the track, and
when their task is finished the result will make
the grounds still more inviting and attractive.
The extensive and liberal improvements at the
park, aggreg9tng cost Of about hye THOUSAND
dollars, will be finished tomorrow, and Bright
wood Park will appear as almost another place
than was formerly known as Piney Branch track.
Much praise is due the association for the spirit
Of enterprise they have displayed in making these
changes and Improvements, and their determine
tiOn TO make the track one Of the constant pleas
ures to the citizens Of this community. Yester-
day all Of the horses entered for the races Of the
first three classes had arrived and were at the
track, except those from Martinsburg, W. Va,
and New York city. Both are on the way, how
ever, and will probably arrive to-day.
THE COMING RACE.
The merits of the animals are being conned over
by those supposed to be posted, but now even the
knowing ones are COMPOUNDED. 1t is the first time
for several years that horses from distance
have entered hero for races, and the record Of
most Of them is unknown. Consequently lively
time may be expected at the pOOl-selling OF
Aman's, on Ninth street, tonight, where much Of
the buying will be chance work. The Baltimore
horse, Jacob Lerian, is.someWhat Of faYorite at
present, but the sorrel gelding Arthur Wild, Of
Martinsburg, is looked upon with much suspicion,
and many think he will win the race. So IL goes
for talk and selling pools. The race on Wednes-
day, as will all the rest, commences at O'Clock
sharp, and is for horses that have never beaten
three minutes, for a purse Of $500. The following
are the entries: Chas. Hubbard, New York, b. s.
Anglo Saxon David Logan, Baltimore, b. &.
Jacob Lerian; q. Hopper, Washington, br. m.
Lady Gertrude; J. H. Moore, Philadelphia. b. g.
VIM. Penn: G. W. CLARK, ERston, Pa, S. g. Edwin
Forrest; Wild & Burr, Martinsburg, W. Va, s. e.
Arthur Wild; B. r. Perry, Washington, bl. h.
Capitol.
On Friday the seeoRd-class races come of.
These are for horses that have never beaten ESQ,
and for purse Of $500. The entries for this are
the same as those IN the first class.
BASE BALL.