National Republican., 1877-04-23
THE RACING PRosPECrs.
improvements on the Bsnning's Course
Shall We Have Spring Msstingf

Years ago grand races were run on the old
track out Fourteenth street. Tho horsemsn Of
tho North and South met here In friend lyttvalry,
and their sleek and feet horses measured their
limbs In eager sport. Men OF tho North and OF
the South gradually became estrangod from each
other, and they did not bring their horses TO
Washington any more. and tho old course became
obiitoratej.
Tho rising generation OF washington forgot, or
never knew, the eager sport Of their fathers
steepio.chases, hurdles and long runs. Not until
tho Washington Park was established, about two
ycars ago, by Mr.. 7. p. Hill, did the horses como
back During the last two seasons the great
racers, in their circuit about the country, have
visited washington, and successful meetings
have been held at Mr. Hill's course.
This city Is worry desirably located for national
races T. belongs to neither the North or the
South. Horsomen have pronounced the milo
1t only rcqaires q few minutes ride from the
heart Of tho city to reach, and is as accessible
ride Of less than M an % hour from any depot in that
city will bring person right to the gates Of the
park. Since the close Of tho meeting last fall
track. A wide gravel walk has been laid from
hundred yards Oh. inside walk has been made
the gate to the grand stand. frcss have been set
out. terraces cut, grass sown, aud flower beds
looks looks ike the grounds about a sentleman's 8
mansion. Tho handsome ub.houss at tho right
OF the grand stand has been completed and is
ready for occupancy; oycrandsh., nom which
around the building. The grand stand is one Of
the most complete and comfortably erected on
any race track, The portion reserved for ladies
10 supplied with cushioned settecs, and under
meath are reception and oilet.roonr, fitted up
| Tho track itself could not DO improved. II 10
one Of Its poculiarties that neither rain or shine
has any considerable effect upon Il. Tho soil IS
combination OF clay and sand, and never becomes
too heavy or too light for good racing. II is q
grand course, sweeping around It's broad ellipti.
cal mile N smooth ard cvon as the surface OF .
billiard table. with this nno course, already at
hand, 1t seems strange that a permanent Jockey
club Is not formed in this city. The experience
| OF the several meetings held under the auspices
of tho National Jockey Club has been to the
effect that tho Investment s perfectly safe. Last
year, although tho crowd on none Of the dayt
was very large, the receipts paid all expenses
and purses and there was surplus remaining,
| 1t would bc great advantage to the city TO
have national races permanently established
hore, as hundreds Of mon, with money in their
pockets, would be attracted here semi.annually
It Ia to be hoped, In the interest OF good racing
that the members Of the National Jockey Clut
II would look like . lack OF enter prise in ouI
citizens, when thcy have such q magnificent
course at their command, not to have any racing
nt All: The proprietor OF tho park ct Bennipgt.
eost, except a proportionSto share Of the proats
| II the receipts amount to more than tne ex
peusos. II would BE- desirable to have larE'
| enough purses insured to bring horses here, In
making tho national circuit from Baltimore afte,
tho PIN liso races, and tho meeting can be helt
the week following the races at that park
very soon, or It will be too late for spring meet
ing.