National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-04-28
AT IVY CITY.
Notes OF improvements 60 the Course and
Concerning tho Horses Preparing for
the Races.

Notes OF improvements 60 the Course and
Concerning the Horses Preparing for
the Races,
In just two weeks from tomorrow the
National Jockey club will throw open the
gates Of the Ivy City course and welcome tho
eager multitude thronging to witness tho first
day of their spring racing carnival. Already
the entorprising officials Of tho club have
everything at tho park in readiness for the
event, The buildings and fences look bright
and clean with their new coats Of paint
The inner fold has been sowed with oats aud
grass that Is now knee high and looks like n
green sea, whilo tho track has been worked
until 10 is as safe and fit for racing as 1t will
be In the pleasant days OF May.
The equine aristocrats are beginning to
arrive in force, forty-six racers being now at
tho course, A largo number Of additional
arrivals are looked for this week, mainly
from the vicinity Of New York. From 100 to
300 horses in all are expected to contest for
tho rich prizes offered by the club.
Most of tho horses now ut tho track are
rather backward in condition aud will have
to be ratified along at pretty lively rate in
order to put them in condition to truly show
the stun they are made Of The splendid
stable of which w. p. Burch is tho ruling
genius seems TO BIO in the most forward state
of preparation just now, but with fair
weather the other trainers will DO able to
vastly change the appearance Of their horses
for the better In the two weeks
to elapse before the races be-
gin. Among tho horses at tho
course are number that are old aoquaint-
ances to Washington racegoers. Col. Sprague
looks as fine as 2-year-old. Old Keno, with
his forelegs done up in bandages has as much
muscle as cart horse. War Eagle, who
showed fine speed in his races hero last fall,
and afterward defeated ''the horse of two
hemispheres," Parole al Baltimore, has
grown and improved until he IL now emo,
powerful young stallion, who looks like win
ming good races The Post yesterday gave 10
the world the startling information that War
Eagle is "the old heat racer and one Of the
finest race mares over foaled." Perhaps tho
most improved horse at tho track Is Home
spun. who has grown, spread, and laid on
those familiar with his appearance last au-
tumn. He will not be 10 condition to run here
Others now at the track that have shown
their speed around tho Ivy City turns are
Old Liz, Iota, Ella Warfeld, Jim Nelson,
Burch, and Mittie b. The crack flly, Decoy
| Duck. is the star Of Burch's string, and ia q
magnifcent-looking young mare, something
on the Thorn order as she appeared when
here two years ago. IL appearances 20 for
anything she will DO ono Of the racing
celebrities of the year.
| Visitors who caro- to 20 to the course early
enough to SEQ tho flyers taking their morning
gallops will discover that tho club has made
some very substantial improvements. The
platform in front of the bookmoking stands
has been extended well out toward the fence,
giving the spectators n much needed in
crease of room. The weighing stand has been
changed to the saddling Enclosure.