Milford chronicle., 1892-06-17
\ Fine Trotting Track.

In all of this great country there is but
two other race courses like the great "Kite
trackn which has been built on the grounds
of the Maple Valley Trottiug Association, at
Kirkwood Delaware. The track is one
mile in length aud, as its name implies, is
in the shape of a kite, there being from the
starting post one third of a mile straightaway
then a curve forming the perfect segment OF
circle TO the homestretch, which is again
straiehtawsy to the end. This is the only
track Of its kind in the East and the third in
the country one being being located at
Stockton, Cal, and owned by Senator Lee
land Stanford and another at Independence,
Iowa. The work of grading aud laying out
the track was done under the immediate
supervision of William Somers Of Philadel-
phia, who built the Gloucester track, aud it
is said by competant judges to possess
points ofsuperiority oyer its two Western
prototypes. A novel idea is introduced in
the watering apparatus by which the track
can be thoroughly spriukled in less thaa
6neen minutes and that without the aid Of
the cumbrous aud heavy wheeled cart so
long IN use.
NOVEL TRACK SPRINKLER.
The process is a simple but iugeeious one,
and was designed by the SECRETARY Of the as
sociation. ]. c, Mccoy Along the fences
run line oftwo inch pipe fed from $1,000
gallon tank in a 90 foot tower, placed Just to
the rear Of the grand stand. The water is
drawn from a I2-foot well and force up by
Wortbington pump. Every thirty feet a
long the mile of two-inch pipe is a three
quarter pipe connected by a swing" joint
which, when extended out over the track,
sets an automatic three branched sprinkler
in motion, throwing the water evenly and
with sufficient force 10 reach on either side
to the next extended joint.
When it is desired to wet the track four
men in rubber coats, boots and hats start
from equidistaut points, and with an iron
hook pick up the braHch pipes and swing
them around at right angles to the main Que,
aud then keeping on around the track aud
throwing back into place the sprnklers,
which, in the time taken to extend, had
performed their dust-laying mission,
They comprise in all over 700 acres of
beautiful country land. It lies about three
quarters ofa mile from KirkwoOd Station on
the Delaware division Of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, about AZ miles from Philadelphia.
RACES EVERY SATURDAY.
There will be racing for purses every Satur-
day throughout the season and the Pennsyl-
vania Railroad is making arrangements to
carry the lovers of honest racing on good
track" at a reduced rate to the grounds Of
the association, whose motto is as above.
Directly on entering the grounds stands a
roomy old fashioned country house with
wide porches and roomy chairs thereon, in
viting to comfort aud ease Some 200 feet
back of the mansion are the private stables
aud carriage houses, while off to the west
are the eight large stables for the use Of
visitors and patrons Of the track. Every
where is evidence Of neatuess aud cleanli-
ness, and the spacious stalls and modern ap-
pliances for the comfort and training Of
trotters show how thoroughly in ernest are
the projectors ofthe enterprise in their deter
mination to have the best track in every de-
tail that money and judgment eau obtain
To this end about $50, 900 have been well
speHt and when on the opening day, which
will be July a. the grand stand contains its
share Of $4,000 people it IS designed to seat,
the officers aud directors Of the association
will, no doubt, be amply satisfied of the
result Of the time, labor and money they
have spent on the enterprise
WELL KNOWN TRorrERs EXPECTED
Negotiations are now pending to have at
the track on the opening day Air. Hamlin's
team, which recently made a record ofa.I3H |
at Belmont; the celebrated Axteli, whose
performances are we'll known to
al who are interested in trotting, and the |
1oaing dog Doc" with his diminudye /
driver.
The races on this day viii be for the As,
: 10 and 7.73 classes aud hapesome pnrses 4
vim De given. The Maple Valley Tnottiug
Aasociation Is ia both the American and Ma
ional Associations and good class Of horses
vim donbilcsa participate 10 the racing.