Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-09-01
A CH4LL ESGE TO THE World.

Tho Officers of the Great Il lite Track Claim
IL tho FastcSt--Thc Grade Altered so
That the start and Finish are ON the
Same Level and the Track widened to
SiNty-fve Feet.
Since the big opening at "the great
kite track" Of the Mapcl Valley Trot-
ting Association, at kirkwood, Del, on
the Fourth Of July, when Belle llamlin
| and Globe broke the record of the world,
2.l3, and made new record of ZIP,
which stands to-day as the double team
record of the world hundred men
have been at work on the track every
day for tile past month altering the
grade and widening the track, SO that
| now the start and finish ON u level and
the track has been widenel to So feet
In speaking of these alterations Score
iary Mccoy said "Thc reason for max
ing this change was 10 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 in
stances from persons interested in poor
tracks, and that jealousy animated the
talk, we decided, after consulting one
of the engineers of the Pennsylvania
Ruilrad Company, 10 change the track
to comply with all the requirements, as
VIC saw an opportunity of widening the
track to the ample width of IS feet, and
at the same time making it still faster.
"These criticisms We're not the direct
cause Of altering the track, for 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 accepted by the
National Trotting Association.
"Since the alterations nave been made
the fast work shown on the track con
| vinCCs the association that tine track is
| faster than ever and the rehauding of
| the soil has made ii better, We are SO
| pleased that We challenge the world in
the sum Of 100000 to produce track
faster or better than 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 $4,000 gallon
tank full Of water at our command.
| With these changes we believe that the
prophecy will be fulfilled of the Turf,
bicld anil HiJa, which said, THE fastest
track in the world, situated on the
fastest railroad in the world, are bound
| to make great combination.
ave will give the first meeting since
the completion of the alterations on Sat
rrday, September 3D., There will be
four races--3-mnute 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 800. The entries close Monday,
August 29tll, Mt / p. m"
another grand stand has been
added" said President Cooper, "giving
Il seeting capacity now for 5000 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 country
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 adj
mission to the track, John Shillinglaw
| of Charter Oak Park, Hartford, one of
| the best known drivers in the country,
has been engaged rs head trainer and
has been in charge for n fortnight.
fhere are over 200 horses in training
now ON our track"