The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-06-01
FUTURES In HORSES.
The Season Affords Many Prom
Using Debutantes.
SPEEDING ON THE KITE TRACK.
Expectation OF Memorable Racing
Season at Kent-Entries I'm the
Driving Contest.

The prospects for an unusually brilliant
spring race meeting at Kent this year are good
Never before in the sporting chapters of the his
tory of Washington has there been recorded
such an effort not only to exhibit good stock In
races but to demonstrate a scientific method OF
handling IL. as is being made by the King
County Fair and Agricultural Association this
season great deal OF money has been cx-
pended wisely and conservaticely, and the re-
suit bids fair to reward the outlay with an
abundant interest.
The scene at the track yesterday was a busy
one. Work is progressing as rapidly as possible,
over 100 men being employed upon the grounds
and buildings to get them in readiness for the
opening day, June 8. A commodious grand
stand 10 feet long. with fifteen tiers OF seats 10
almost finished. Ii will accommodate 1900 per-
sons. The judges stand 10 under way, and
every day adds q little towards the completion
of the track itself. Inclosing fences are being
built, and stalls and barns are going up all over
the grounds. Today and tomorrow the trees in
the space inclosed by the mile course viii be cut
down, that the view OF the whole track viii
not be impairedat any point.
OF the track itself an especial description 10
made timely by the fact that 1t Is the first OF the
kind ever laid out in the United States, although
a similar and less perfect course was recently
built as an experiment by Mr. Williams, at
Independence, Ia. The track at Kent is kite
shaped. The judges stand is located inside of
the course, at the point exactly corresponding
to the part of the kite to which the tail is at
tached. In the mile races the horses score down
along stretch corresponding to the tail itself
and pass under a wire at the right OF the judges
stand into the quarter-stretch. The first quarter
is as straight as string. At the point where
the turn is made the width OF the course is ESQ
feet, making the course an easy one. The last
quarter is as straight Is the first. This Is
claimed by friends of the new plan to give the
horses q better show than anything except
track that il straight throughout could posi-
bly, do
"The trouble In most races comes In at the
turn on the first quarter" horseman said yes
terday, in explanation of the kites advant-
ages. "This is now obviatcd because the turn
does not begil until after the quarter post is
reached, and by that time, In nine races out of
ten, the horses win have strung out enough to
give the pole to the leader in the turn without
danger OF foul. On the home stretch the
long straight track gives an opportunity for
honest work at the finish that cant be beaten"
The advantage OF the Kent track over the only
other kite track ever built-the one at Independ-
ence-grows out of the addition to the local
track OF a hslf-mile course, which is an extern
sion of one side OF the kite, brought around In
the form of an eclipse across the other side,
joining with the first side again. With the
track at Independence II was impossible to run
u
had been made there was sharp point that no
horse could turn without doing itself manifest
injustice. The surveyors of the course at Kent
saw this disadvantage in the original kite and
eliminated il, so that any distance is made not
only convenient, but as easy as on the old
fashioned ellipse.
The Kent track Is clay loan surface laid
upon carefully prepared foundation of eight
inches of sod. The scrapers finished their work
hen fuiI fnrpo af
men with drags, rollers aud sprinklers have
been at work putting 1t in as good condition as
possible. 1t is good, springy track, and allows
free motion without risk Of injury to the feet or
limbs OF the horses. 1t has already been spoken
OF by good judges, many of whom are members
of the local fraternity, as promising one Of the
best opportunities for good racing Of any Of the
tracks Of the United States
Another grand-stand of equal dimensions
with the one now nearly finished will be put up
on the opposite side OF the course Immediately
after the close of the spring meetings. Two
large buildings, each 24Ox60 feet, will be erected
at the same time, to accommodate the agri-
cultural exhibit at the autumn gathering. At
the same time handsome purses will be offered
for exhibitions OF fruit, flowers cereals. veg
etables, minerals and manufactured goods.
Prominent members of the association have ex-
pressed an intention to have every industry in
the state represented at the autumn meeting IL
such thing be possible.
The association has accomplished great deal
In the brief period OF its existence. Senator A.
I. Van de Vanter was one of the prime movers
in its organization. As early as last September
he conceived the idea that q track for the accom-
mediation OF local stock would be big thing for
the people OF the vicinity of Kent. He suggested
the project TO few friends and owners of good
horses, who coneurred heartily. and the plan
finally became so popular that it was deemed
n mi A.
track prominent figure in the national races
During the first week Of last December A meet.
ing was held in Senator Van de yanter,s Office
at Kent Among those who attended were Cap
tain J. ]. Crow, B. o. Van Bokkelen. Andrew
Washburn, j. H. Durgen, J. g. Jones. John
Cove james Hart and John Woodin. The cap
ital stock OF the association, which was chris
tened at that meeting, was fixed at s25og0
Fourteen members sprung themselves for the
iull amount, assuming the responsibility and
taking the chances. The first officers were A.
7. Van de Vanter, president; B. O.Van Bokkelar,,
first vice president; John Woodin, second vice
president
and lovers OF horsefesh who live in seattle
came 70 the rescue and took good portion OF
the stock held by the charter members Among
these were Senator Watson c. Squire John r.
AcGraw, Joseph Mcknight, Senator Forest,
Mayor White, B. F. shauburt, Captain Tavlor.
It4AiOss DHtGels ldHleu lHEaiis. j. W. Mcleod.
J. II. Wollery and Auditor Twichell An assess
ment OF p per cent was levied and collected
Immediately, and another OF . per cent has
recently been voted. Over $4,000 will have
been expended when the work now unfinished
has been completed. AS result Kent has a
track that would be credit to city OF 5000
temporary hslf-mile track was maintained
last winter for the exercise of dozen horses
which were kept at the association stables. Van
Bokke!ens Governor, q pa horse, was among
those who put in the winter at the new track
At present the association has sixty-fiye acres
which is held in bond with the price fred at
$40 per acre. Two years is given the members
10 decide, and then two years more will be
granted them 10 pay for it in the event that they
decide 10 accept IL.
yesterday there were 12l horses in the stables
a. the grounds. The entries thus far for al
races are rs The entry books of the trottiug
and pacing races were closed last Monday h..t
the others are eligible for admission until TO-
morrow night The programme for the former
class las been made up. The adjustment OF the
nandicaps in the running races viii he Y,ade
early Wednesday by Secretary Van Bokrslan-