Middletown transcript., 1892-08-25
, oHAnLENaE no rHE woRLp.
THE OFFICERS OF THE GREAT KITE
TRACK CLAIM 1T IS THE FASTEST.

Since the big opening at the great
kite track J, of the Maple Valley Trot-
ting Association, at Kirkwood, Del,
on the Fourth of July, when Belle
Hamlin aud Globe broke the record of
the world, 213, and made new re-
cord of 2.12, which stands to-day as
the double-team record of the world
hundred men have been at work on the
track every day for the paEt month
altering the grade ard widening the
track, so that now the start and finish
are on level and the track has been
widened to sixty-ive feet. In speak
ing of these alterations Secretary Nc
Coy said: t The reason for making
this change was to forever quiet the
adverse criticism against the track on
account of the finish being lower than
the start. While we recognize that
these criticisms came in the majority
OF instances from persons interested
in poor tracks, and that jealousy ami
mated the talk, we decided, after
consulting one of the engineers of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, to
change the track to comply with all
the requirements, as we saw an oppor-
tunity of widening the track to the
ample width of sixty five feet, and at
the same time making it still faster.
"These criticisms were not the direct
cause of altering the track, for l have
letter from Mr.. Morse, secretary of
the National Trotting Association,
under date of July 10, in which he says
that all records made on our track in
its original condition would be accept
ed by the National Trotting Associa-
tion.
''Since the alterations have been
made the fast work shown on the track
convinces the association that the track
is faster than ever and the rehandling
of the soil has made it better. We are
SO pleased that we challenge the world
in the sum of $4,000 to produce a
track faster or better tnan this track.
One great advantage this track has had
over all others is the watering apparatus
by which the entire track is watered
simultaneously. This fact has been
made apparent during the long dry
spell. We have not had to depend on
rain and watering carts to keep the
track moist and springy we had
fifteen-thousan gallon tank full of
water at our command. With these
changes we believe that the prophecy
will be fulfilled of the Turf, Field and
Farm, which said, The fastest track
in the world. situated on the fastest
railroad in the world, are bound to
make great combination.
"We will give the first meeting since
the completion of the alterations on
Saturday, September 8. There will be
four races-3 minute class, 2.40, 2.34
and $50, for purses of $3.50 each. There
will be a special race, $50 class, for
horses owned in New Castle county,
DEL, and Cecil county, Md, for a
purse Of 500. The entries close Mon
day, August 20, at II P. NJ"
"Another grand stand has been
added" said President Cooper, "giving
seating capacity now for 5, 900 people.
We are better prepared for crowd
now than we were on the Fourth of
July. We intend before the snow falls
to have all the big attractions in the
county that money can secure, and
the same low rates of fare will be in
vogue on the Pennsylvania Railroad
that were given on the Fourth of July,
including admisson to the track. John
Shillinglaw. of Charter Oak Park,
Hartford, one If the best-known driv-
ers in the country, has been engaged
as head trainer and has been in charge
for fortnight. There are over two
hundred horses in training now on
our track