Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-06-23

The claying of the track at Agricultural
Park, which was delayed by the recent
rains. has progressed TO such an extent
that three-fourths of the work has been
completed according to the original pro
gramme. What is now to be done is from
the three-quarter pole to the wire. The
homestretcA is being covered with clay
nearly its entire width, instead of a width
of p feetg and il is understood that the
balance of the track will be gone over
again, and covered TO its entire width. in
stead of % feet That the track will be very
fast when the improvement is completed
is evidenced by the condition OF the
back-stretch. From the quarter pole TO the
half it is as level and smooth as a carpeted
floor, not too hard nor too soft. and when
a horse strikes il he seems to tTOt as if de
lighted with the opportunity. HorSemen
who are training al the Park naturally feel
anxious for the completion OF the work. so
that they can drive a full mile and get
their trotters in condition to show whether
they viii be fit to enter for the circuit, as
the entries close in few weeks Another
week, however, If there are no more rain
storms, will give them what they want
bat if the balance of the track is as fast as
the back-stretch now is, the time made
over ii viii have to be taken with con
siderable allowance, or the owners of the
horses viii be disappointed when they race
on other tracks. The editor of the Brecder
and Sportsman has the following to say con-
corning the Improvements The few
minutes on the track at Sacramento. during
our late flying visit, were altogether too
brief TO obtain anything like knowledge
of the Improvements made this seasons
Ii was quite long enough, however 10 prove
that vast deal had been done and from
the cursorV examinations, well done. with
a few executions When there has been
such a manifest lettering ii may appear in
yidious to find any fault, and YET we think
that the engineer in charge has given too
much slope ts the turns and the stretches
would be better If, Ill place of so much
declination from the outside 10 the inside
there should ta only grade enough TO carry
of the water. The throwing up of the
turns, beyond what is necessary to keep 4
sulky from swinging AT the fastest pace of
a horse. brings an undue strain on the
limbs, and when the slope IS continued all
the way around there is no chance for re
lief Race horses are more prone to
change legs when rounding a turn than
when running on straight line and this
has suffered from the strain. But this
defect viii remedy itself As the track
wears the loose soil will be carried towards
the lower side, and the action of the scraper
viii also and in reducing the grade. 1t was
probably owing TO the heavy rains of the
week before that the natural soil appeared
so firm, and that driving on ii when moist
had given consistency. 1t seemed firm
enough without the coating of clay, but as
the universal voice of those who attended
the late meeting was in favor of the appli-
cation, il was an urgent necessity Still we
imagine that ii would be a good idea to
leave a portion on the outside in its natural
state so as TO give soft footing for those who
are inclined TO tender feet, and that is q
large portion OF the iron-tortured of the
trotting tracks We shall make visit to
Sacramento especially "a note what has
been accomplished, as it IS evident that
the improvements are of great benefit, and
in the main judiciously planned.