The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-03-23
THE SPRING RACES.
Prospects of Highly Successful Meeting
at the Benning's Track.

prospects OF "A Highly Successful Meeting
at the Benning's Track.
The signs of q successful race meeting are
everywhere apparent at the track of the Wash
ington Jockey Club at Benning's AS one sur
veys the scene he can imagine the clatter of a
field of horses speeding around the track or the
sturdy voice of the bookmaker shouting out his
odds. Everything pertaining to good race
track, it is claimed, will be provided. The
management of the new course has been liberal
handed, and nothing short of very bad
weather will interfere with successful open
ing day, which is set for April l. The meeting
will be continued until April 5, inclusive.
There is a great advantage at this course I'M
common to most tracks, and that is the grand
stand and betting ring are situated upon an
eminence. From the ground floor of the grand
stand, as also from the betting ring, magnif-
cient view can be obtained of an entire race
This will be source of qualification to those
who do not desire to remain in the upper part
of the stand and will prevent the ANNOYANCE of
making hasty visit to the stand in order to
view a race. The grand stand is built in u very
substantial manner due regard having been
given to the matter of comfort and good view
of the course. 1t will accommodate four thou
sand people \ portion of the lower part will
be occupied by well-stocked restaurant, in
which refreshments may be obtained at city
prices. This will be appreciated by those who
have occasion to patronize the restaurant, for it
IL
of prices at race tracks,
A fine clubhouse has been erected for the
convenience of the members, and it will be in
charge of an experienced caterer
AS the racing season at New York will not be
inaugurated until May Is, the prominent book
makers readily consented to transact business
with the Washington Jockey Club, and an
abundant number of this fraternity will be on
hand to lay odds and accommodate hackers.
AS to the stables, they are all-sufficieht to de-
light the heart of horse owners, being roomy
and we'll built, and capable of providing for
have additional stabling room it may be pro-
cured at Ivy City. Just at the head of the quar-
ter-stretch large paddock has been erected, in
which the horses may be viewed and criticised
by those who wish to judge of their form.
The track is a mile one, with width of eighty
feet The soil is sandy underneath, and after
hard rain dries very quickly, which will pre-
vent it from ever becoming "a sea of mud"
The homestretch is a fine one of considerable
length, thereby allowing great deal to be ac-
complshed before the finish is reached.
AS to the horses, there will be good repre-
sentation Already there are in the immediate
vicinity of the track about sixty-five, which
number, it is expected, will be increased to be-
! tween two and three hundred at the date of
! opening, on April l. Among those already
here are Orifamme, Bess, Swift, and the speedy
! Hindoocraft
The track is easily reached by a fifteen
minute journey on the B. and P. h. R., which
runs alongside the course. Those who prefer
the luxury of a carriage ride to the track will
find it short drive with good roads, which have
lately undergone thorough repair. Within the
! course ample room for carriages has been pro-
yided
Those who wish to witness good racing will
be amply repaid by visit to the meeting, and
as Washington people are noted for patroniZing
good race meeting it is predicted that the
! success of the new course is assured in advance.