The Washington times., 1894-05-21
WILL RACE NEXT THURSDAY
Grange Camp Association Course All
Ready for the Opening.
MANY FLYERS ALREADY ON HAND
A First-class Track With Every Accommoda-
ton for Both the Public and Horsemen on
Alexander's Island-With Favorable Ac-
ton by Judge Keith the Sport Will Go On.

Everything Is in readiness at the race
course of the Grange Camp Association on
Alexander's Island for the opening OF the
race meeting, which will in all probability be
commenced next Thursday afternoon. Judge
Keith will hear arguments at Warrenton this
morning on the application for an injunction
to restrain racing. but the officials Of the as
sociation are confident the application will
be refused. because of there being no tenable
ground for the applicants for the injunction
to stand upon. In the event of favorable
decision, the programme for the first three
DAYS of the meeting will be Immediately is
sued, and the sport will go on without inter-
ruption.
1t will be source of surprise to anyone
who has not visited the locality of the race
course to witness the change in the appear
ance of things wrought in n few weeks by the
expenditure of money and the work of several
hundred men. Out of the marshes of Alex
ander's Island has arisen perfectly appointed
race course, and nowhere in this country can
be found better spot for such place. Right
upon the banks of the Potomac the property
of the association is bounded, and unexcep-
tionable facilities art offered both man and
beast Tor DathlnS IN the water.
Everything about the place is new. and the
appearance of things is bound to find favor
with both horsemen and public. Already the
stables are well filed with flyers, there being
over 200 on the ground. with nearly rs many
more ready TO be brought there just as soon
as the programme is issued. The stables re
located in the northern section of the prop
erty. sufficiently removed from the grand
stand to dissuade the curious from venturing
a visit to the quarters of the horses. There
ara twenty rows of stable buildings, each
capable of accommodating about twelve
horses. with commodious kitchen and living
quarters.
But the track itself is a thing Of JOY and
beauty. 1t is an ellipse of three-quarters of a
mile, with a chute five-eighths of a mile
straight away. The grand stand has been
completed. and will accommodate about 1000.
Underneath is located the betting pavilion,
and adjoining is the paddock, giving all an
easy view of the horses just before a race.
The entire course has been piped, and the ar
ranSements are perfect for sprinkling the
track. Nothing has been left undone to make
the course perfect one in every respect.
The track itself is wider than either Ben
ming or Ivy City. it being eighty feet In
the stretch and turns and sixty feet in the
backstretch. All races of five-eighths or half
a mile will be run on the straight, while those
OF longer distances will be run on the regular
track. An electric bell will announce the
start in the betting ring. and probably one of
the best features is the location of the judges
stand, which is but slightly elevated from the
surface of the track By this arrangement
there will be no possibility of a horse finish
ing on the rail being overlooked. rs was done
on several occasions at last Winters Benning
meeting.
One OF the attractions of the new course is
the view from the grand stand. all the princi-
pal points and buildings of interest in the city
being distinctly visible as in a panoramic pic
ture. During the warm weather whatever
breeze there may be can be obtained by the
occupants of the grand stand, as the bro ad
expanse of the Potomac offers facilities for its
reaching the course.
Quite a number of the stables which have
wintered at Benning and Ivy City have taken
quarters at the course, and Us many of the
horsemen who have been running their
charges at the southern tracks have engaged
stablinS accommodations. There will be at
least 800 horses at the course on the opening
day. with many more ready to come on just
as soon as the ball is started rolling. Bradley
Sale, Carroll. Miller, Donovan. Hikok. Tomp-
kins and many other owners have taken pos
SESSION of stables, and their horse are being
worked regularly. AS an evidence OF how
good is the track, three-quarters has already
been covered IN 1:1715, which speaks well for
the new course