Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-23

IfR-I as,J the sluggish Eastern
@t EN branch to the eastward
L-IEEfN1 of the great white dome
of the Capitol milo
or so away, certain little city has long since
awakened. No written laws rule that little
city. none clothed with the authority of law
enacted by state or municipality are seen. Yet
1t and its people live under a government COM
posed OF despots who acknowledge but one au-
thority higher than their own--the rules of
racing. The little city is the Benning race
track.
At no other time of the year is the race
course more interesting than now. For it is
now that the unceasng care and watchfulness
of the long winter months are reaching frui-
ton. Now are being made those tests which
elevate the thoroughbred to the height of n
stake winner or lower il to the depth Of a SELL
ing platter. Up to this time faint hearted in
deed Is the owner or trainer who has not con-
fdently believed that i'll his stable stands a
futurlty or Suburban winner. Even now. as
trial after trial fails to fully confirm such be-
hefs, excuses are devised. shortcomings are
explained away and race day alone looked for
ward to with fear.
BUSY IN THE STABLES.
The sun is just peeping above the horizon.
Already the stable boys are busily engaged on
the toilets of their blue-blooded charges under
the watchful eyes of the trainers. The trainer
sees everything, and in the opinion OF the
stable. knows everything He may in most
cases appear TO be a rather hard master, but so
long as nothing is neglected by those who owe
him obedience all is well. 1t is only when a
lazy or sleepy boy leaves undone that which he
should have done or does that which he should
not nave done that the air assumes BLUSH
tlnge and the young offender is very forcibly
reminded OF his wrong-doing. The trainers
authority is supreme. and rash indeed would
be the jockey or stable boy who would dare
dispute it,
While the stable boys are busy with the
toilets of the horses the most savory odors
float out from the kitchens. Every welI-organ-
lied stable has its cook, although the cooking
is often done in the open air, and the cook is
invariably a master OF the art of simple cook
ing. One who has driven out to a race track
in the early morning and partaken Of a break
fast there. consisting of steak, ham, eggs
potatoes. batter cakes and coffee, will not soon
forget 1t. The Hberallty with which the food
Is supplied Is something remarkable. the cook
being given carte blanche in the matter of both
the quality and quantity OF the supplies.
Breakfast is soon over and the horses. which
have been lmpatiently shifting the air, whinny-
ing and cranIng their slender necks over the
cross-bars of their stalls, are led forth. A
stable boy leads each one. and. clad in warm
linseys, round and round the ring, worn into a
track near their stable, they CO. The two
year-olds are inclined to be rather frisky, and
firm hand is needed on each halter, but be-
yond playful kick a mischievous prance
10 depression is permitted. The older horses
walk more sedately, occasionally endeavoring
to pull away far enough to crop
mouthiul of grass. These proceedings are
the same with every stable on the grounds.
and only end when the horses are taken to the
track. When led out on the track some are
bianketed, some are clad in light linseys, while
others are unclad. They proceed to the track
in single file, and before the sun is well up the
track is well crowded with horses walking
horses slowly galloping and here and there
horses breaking away at racing speed. The
bright colors of the jockeys are not seem only
men and boys in their shirt sleeves, but the
sight of the horses engaged in their work ia
more than enough to stir the most sluggish
blood. Such instructions as these and similar
ones are given by the trainers: Here. Bill.
give him couple of easy miles " Roy, keep
your hold on that mare. and don't let her get
away from you again." Here you youngster
with black horse, just canter him along with
the colts" Dick, take the colt to the half and
turn him loose. Keep him going for the three
quarters. but ease him up after the half. Mike.
you turn tine old horse loose with the colt and
let him go the last eighth
A FAST TRIAL.
Such instructions as the last mean a fast
trial, and were they given in tone loud
enough to be generally heard many eyes and
watches would be fixed ON the colt. The colt
and the old horse slowly canter to the quarter
pole. qulckenlng their pace they near it.
Reaching it, they suddenly jump ahead at
racing speed and run neck and neck. Although
no one but the trainer anticipates he move sew
eral keen-eyed knowing ones. who seem able to
watch hundred or more horses at the same
time for such trials, caught the start. Watches
in hand they carefully note the time. The
trainer with his watch in hand trusts that none
were able to catch the start. The first eighth
- IN of ftsfac
ton. Both horses are running easily. and the
quarter is made in .25$1. They are well into
the stretch now, and the colt is moving in
great shape. An eighth from the wire the old
horse catches the colt. but the latter gets his
head and without urging shows in 'front.' and
running true and strong finishes the half in
Big. The time is no: marvelously fast, but
it is fast enough to show the trainer that he
has good one, and his face wears a WELL
satisfied smile. Many other such trials take
place during the morning, but about O'Clock
the track begins to wear deserted air. The
horses have been cooled out bv long walks
round the circle near the stable, then rubbed
and groomed, and then fed
THE COMING MEETING.
Such have been the early morning scenes at
the Benning race course for the past few weeks
and such will be the scenes during the two
weeks race meeting of the Washington Jockey
Club, which begins Monday, and which is the
beginning OF The eastern racing cam paign of
1892. There are now at the track l6O horses.
the latest arrivals being W. c. Daily, with six
teen; j. H. Lewis, jr., with eight, and Alex.
Shields. with seven. The stable of Messrs. ].
A. and A. II. Morris will arrive from MARYLAND
tomorrow morning with twelve horses This
stable will contain several fine two-year-olds.
in addition to several older horses Some fifty
or more horses will arrive today or tomorrow,
80 that the fields are sure to be large.
=. Everything is in readiness, and despite tho
rain of this week the track will be in excellent
shape on Monday should no further rainy
weather come. There will be five races each
day, including steeplechases and hurdle races.
Nowhere in America are jumping races more
popular than in Washington, and the club
has all the leading horses OF this class
in this county and Canada on its
track. These races, therefore, will
probably be the best ever seen
here. The club has greatly improved its
steeplechase course since last fall and has not
heightened it, but has SO arranged its course
tina: the horses pass over the water Jump in
front of the grand stand twice. Many other
improvements have been made, and every COM |
fort and convenience of the public carefully
attended to. It is needless to state that the
club will rigi6ly adhere to its former practice
of excluding all Objectionable characters. The |
racing will begin at 8 O'Clock each day. and |
special trains will run from the Baltimore and
Potomac station to the track at l:30 aud 2:I5.
returning Immediately after the last race.
The following are the races to be run the
first day: First race. purse Of $500, for all ages
- H.. A. d