Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-25
MODEL RACE-TRACK.
TRANSFORMATION SCENE TAKE )
PLACE At ALEXANDER ISLAND.
ings-lsacing to Commence soon
Horses on Hand.

. tnBr-AsoshsS W N"ssssss''~' -'Sc''
Horses on Hand.
A few weeks ago Alexander Island, at
the Virginia end Of the Long bridge, was
a waste OF marsh and iowland. To-day.
says the Washington Star. there stands
upon II one OF the most perfectly-ap-
pointed race-tracks in this country.
The track In question Is that OF the
Grange Camp Association. of Northern
Virginia. a racing organization composed
Of the Jones brothers. Thomas Darden,
and other well-known local racingmen.
The grounds Of the association, compris-
ing n hundred acres or so. begin at
point within a short distance OF Jackson
City. and run along and back Of the
river-front for mile or so. The race
track is shaped like the figure s, the oval
part being a six-furong course. while a
straightaway shute OF five furlongs forms
the stem part OF the figure BY such an
arranged track. races OF four and five
furlongs can be made straightaway, while
In races over six furlongs and not ex-
ceeding a mile and three furlongs the
horses will twice pass the grand stand.
The track is as wide. II not wider.
than any other in this country. being
50 feet in width in the stretch and on
the turns. while II is CO feet in width
on the back stretch. II is almost per-
fectly level. the turns are finely thrown
UP. and the foundation Is hard and solid.
The soil is a sandy loan. A deep. wide
drain runs parallel with the inner rail
the entire length OF the shute and oval
course perfectly draining the whole
course The wisdom Of such an arrange
ment is best shown by the fact that de-
spite the unusually heavy rains Of the
past few days. the track was this morning
perfectly dry throughout its entire length.
In fact. the track is not only as safe and
as dry as human ingenuity could make
1t. but 1t will also prove to be one OF
the fastest In America. especially so in
races OF from four 10 five furlongs To
the great majority of race-goers in these
parts these straightaway races will be as
novel as they are interesting.
EVERYTHING NEW.
or course everything on the track is
brand new but every feature about 1t evil
dences the fact that 1t Is right up 10
date The grand strand faces about
northeast, and from 1t the grandest Wow
Of w "hington and the surrounding
count ~obtainable is had. Looking across
the broad Potomac, the eye Glances first
upon hill-perched 81. Elizabeth's, and
then, sweeping northward and westward,
from the glistening. gilded dome Of the
Library building TO the stately mansion
at Arlington. a picture OF noble beauty
and grandeur is beheld. The stand will
seat about 1000 people. and from II
simply perfect view OF the track Is had.
IL is reached by two great broad flights of
steps. In the rear IL prettlly-furnished
ladies' room, with every convenience. Be-
Meath is the betting ring. bar and lunch
counter. and to the front is a conveniently
arranged telegraph Office. The grand
stand runs parallel with the track so
that the confusing angle is removed.
The judges stand, a neat. roomy. glass
inclosed one, is but slightly raised. there
by removing all danger Of losing sight OF
the outside horse or horses. The timers
will also find a place in the judges stand. a
sheltered paddock 60xl00 feet, stands just
TO the left of the grand stand. adjoining
the secretary's office and weighing room.
Between them and the paddock Is the
Jockeys room. containing twenty-one con-
veniently-arraneed lockers A few hun
hifi lF't bFNplii tiF oA'tii pump
house Besides, n $1,000 gallon tank is be-
ing built. into which the water will be
pumped from a great well. When COM
pleted water will run from this great
tank into every building on the grounds,
and also to hydrants beside every stable
while here and there over the grounds
will be many water-plugs, To be used
in case of fire or for sprinkling the
tracks. Long rows Of well-built and COM
modious stables stand in the infield made
by the straghtaway track and conve-
niently-arranged kitchens are near by. The
stables hold 800 horses. They are all oc-
cupied, and more will he built
TO START RACING.
While here and there about the
grounds finishing touches are needed, the
course is practically finished. and racing
could be commenced to-day. II necessary.
1t is expected. however, that the track
Will be formally opened next Thursday
or Saturday afternoon. when five or six
races will be run. The day cannot be
definitely determined until a decision is
rendered in the suit for an Injunction
against the association. In which the
complainant seeks to restrain the assoc
citation from conducting racing. II Is
understood that the case will be decided
in the Circuit Court at Warrenton. Va.
that 1t will be promptly dismissed. There
will not be less than five races day,
the purses being 500. An effort will be
made to secure license from the Ma
tional Jockey-Club. the organization
which succeeded the Inflated board OF
control The management wish IL under
stood that improper characters will be
rigidly excluded from the grounds. and
the best OF order maintained. Everything
possible will be done for the comfort and
convenience Of the race-going people. and
especial accommodations will be made for
the ladies. Mr.. Gwynne II. Tompkins,
the well-knOwn horseman and newspaper
man. VIII be the racing secretary OF the
association.
Among the stables already on the
ground are: II. Bradley. with % horses:
+. Sale. 4; NJ. j. DAILY. 10. S. W. Street
s: W. Garthe G: Glover Stable. 4; NJ
DAILY, Z; -. Phelan, 3: +. ii. Hckok. 10:
j. W. Harmon IL; w. u. Burch. 8: Re-
treat stable. 6; G. ID. Mccoy. 4: Hall &
May. 10; X. Lloyd. II: +. T. Miller. 4:
George Henderson. 4: j. r. Hoge 8: J.
]. Carroll. S. Samuel Ross. 5: H. Hodges
10; G. II. Draney. 2; C. III. Smith. Z: r.
Baker. 3; c. r. Name. 2; Captain Mad
dox, 7; a. NJ Aspen 10: ]. Hunt, II. and
49,. Althouse. u. Key West. Cheddar
Pathway. Major Joe. Stringfellow. Lo-
ton. a. o. H.. Blue Bird, Grand Prix.
SANDER Marguerite. DriZzie, and Bitten
are among the well-known animals at the
track.
VIRGINIA cOTTON-MlLLS.
Description OF the Riverside Mills Mt Dan.