The Washington times., 1895-01-21
Racing as II Was Conducted Last
Week at Alexander Island.
no FEAR OF CLOSING DOWN
Owing to the Charter of the Association the
Knowing Ones Believe That the Injunc-
ton Proceedings to Be Argued Tuesday
Win End in Favor Of the Track-st.
Asaph Was Not Behind the Move.

Although there were many obstacles in the
way OF weather and circumstances, the rae
ing at the Old Dominion course was per-
severed in during the past week with more
than usual success. The going was Deep
holding and swampy, bat nevertheless the
game kept merriy on, with varying degrees
of fortune to the public and the pencilers.
The condition of the track was given in ex-
PLANTATION of the changes in form of some OF
the horses, but indications would seem to
promise DRYER and warmer weather for the
next few weeks Necessarily the course will
recover from the present unsafe condition,
and the racing will take on a better COM
plexion.
Withal a welcome improvement at the
Island mnst be noted. After leaving the cold
and unclean cars provided for the special
train, the patrons OF the track have Leen
obliged to form in single file to struggle over
a narrow plankway to the gate, or else strug-
gle through mud several inches deep. Ia the
worst of the weather. the roadway remained
in wretched condition, and there were many
harsh criticisms passed ON the track manage
ment Finally when the skies cleared up,
and the quagmire at the entrance was drying
up. three immense piaHks were thrown in the
breach, thus making the approach to the
gates much cleaner and less irritating task.
The work of Mr. Cassidy with the flag has
been much improved of late, and his starting
has been generally satisfactory to the talent.
He has had some bad fields to contend with.
and added to the unruly horses, the Jockeys
have been very incompetent. The starter has
much to contend with in this particular, and
some of his assistants have shown wonderful
skill and knowledge by lashing the bad ac-
tors about the legs. On Saturday Chillon
acted like circus horse. and reared about
as if he had an injection, repeatedly trying to
throw Lohrman. In order to make the ami
NAL more passive and peaceful several sting
ing lashes were applied to the horses front
legs with the natural result.
Racing should improve this week. as the
better class of thoroughbreds quartered at
the track will be brought out when the track
is safer. The class of contests at the Alexan-
der Island course is really quite above the
mediocre. considering the conditlons and
the public has shown its appreciation of
this fact by its patronage With the ex-
ception of a few minor points, which have
been pointed out, they have little to COM
plain about.
Naturally all the interest centers in the
argument on the Injunction proceedings to
be made at Richmond this week. The gen.
erai opinion is that the association cannot be
permanently enioined, and that their charter
as the Grange Camp Association OF Northern
Virginia places them in position from
which they cannot be dislodged Under the
law racing is allowable at fairs. and the ex-
hibItion which was recently held was simply
given in compliance with the law So GER
tain are the horsemen of the legal proceed
ings against the track ending in failure they
are offering odds freely, with no takers.
It. was openly limited by the Alexander