Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-12
LOCAL NEWS.
WASHINGTON AS THE RACING CENTER
A Notable Collection of Fast Horses,

PROMISE OF BRILLIANT WEEK AT THE NATIONAL
FAIR GROUNDS.
There are over hundred horses on the Ma
tional Fair Grounds here getting ready for the
races next week. There will be eight car loads
more from Baltimore next Saturday. These
will make more horses at the running meeting
next week than ever before assembled upon any
occasion of the kind in this country. There
will be at least two hundred on hand, no less
than twelve, and all the way TO sixteen starters
will be in every race. All the leading stables
represented. Pierre Lorfllard is the only absent
stable of any importance In the sections repre-.
sented. His brother George, however, shows UP
ever seen. The stable accommodations are
ample, though there is little complaint that the
stables are not far enough apart The track
has been pretty good. 1t was at first a little
hard but MT. Gait, who looks out for the ground
and track, had this defect remedied at the sug-
gestlon OF Brown, the great eastern horse racer.
LIVELY SCENES ON THE TRACK THIS MORNING.
Today the track was little heavy when Mr..
Cook, of Willard's, THE STAR reporter, and
others arrived to take a look by the early MORN
ing bright light" at what was going on. Not
many horses were out at first; but the track get
ting better, one by one the stables began send
ing out their stock for working The sight
presented was very animated and pretty one
All manner OF horses and Jockeys went around
the track, either speeding galloping or leisurely
walking. The trainers stood at the quarter
stretch, and directed the pace. Nearly all the
Jockies. Belmont has with his string OF neat
lmbed, clean cut runners four jockfes two OF
them imported. This fact was noted as soon as
the first four OF Belmont's stable came out and
walked around.
wv hat" asked an old owner of racers. "are
we going to do against those foreigners"
We will show them the American touch"
answered gray haired Ohio owner, who was
watching from the corners OF his eyes the gal
lOp OF two OF his stable as their feet were nimby
raised and dropped.
BEIMoNTs AND LoRIILARD'S HORSES
attracted the greatest attention, as they Were
new on the field here and noted racers. Bel
mont's trainer contented himself With walking
his stud or jogging them around with their
blankets or clothes" on. A black with red
protectors On his legs attracted much attention
The heads and limbs OF the different horses
nearly all showed the sign OF well-bred stock.
There were some pronounced 'of" by the lead
ing stables. Even counting these the horses
now here present one OF the finest meetings OF
this country. BY Saturday II will be finest.
THE SPEEDING"
has not commenced in real earnest, except for
the horses who are to run in the long distances
BY Friday or Saturday the sight on the race
track will during working hours more than re-
pay visit. The utmost care is taken with all
the horses. Several OF the owners sleep
On the grounds, and look after their stock
personally all the time. The horses were
very lively this morning-the cool air add
ing to their natural eXuberance. The jockie5
had the best of exercise in keeping them well
in. Several high spirited thoroughbreds tried
to get rid of their riders. They did not succeed
however, but their efforts added TO the liveli-
ness and excitement OF the scene. It was very
entertaining TO listen to the
HORSE TALK.
If one pointed out any animal, even ii he
were away On the other side of the track, and
asked what horse he was, the answer came
promptly, with the full pedigree thrown in.
Men dressed rOughlytalked uncOncernedly about
paying three, four or ten thousand for this or
that horse. All the owners here unite In saying
that Washington, If next weeks meeting is
we'll patroniZed and some Improvements made
is destined to become the leading racing center
OF the country, not excepting Lexington, KY.
ARRIVALS TO-DAY.
There arrived this morning the following
horses for the coming races: "Rolla," OF New
York city, Donohue owner, and Speculation"
and "Skylight," from Richmond, Mr.. Rob art
Bradley owner. They were Immediately sent TO
the stables OF the fair grounds on their arrival.