Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-08
A MONSTER UNDERTAKING
Being 6randIy Carried Out to
a Successful Finale
INTERESTING TURF TALK
Some of the Crack Flyers Now at the Brming-
ham Race Course Results at New
Orleans-TomorroW's EntrieSS

The task undertaken by the Brming
ham Jockey club is by no means small
one. 1t shows that under the most try
ing circumstances men have been found
who are willing to back their judgment
with their capital to prove to the sport
ing world that Birmingham can be made
as good center for horse racing as New
Orleans, Louisville, Memphis, Little
Rock or any other city in the south.
The work undertaken is by far larger
than the casual observer would think.
The reconstruction of the grand stand,
club houses and paddocks have been in
themselves no small undertaking. When
the work of rebuilding the fair grounds
and buildings was first begun it was
thought $4,000 would be amply sufficient,
but up to the present time, says Sec
rotary Dargin, there has been expended
nearly $1,000, and yet the improvements
have not been completed. In fact, from
present indications, work will be gong
on when the gates are thrown open on
the 18th of this month for the inaugural
races.
One thing Is assured, the club has a
fixed determination to leave nothing I'M
done that will insure a successful out
come of the enterprise.
An evidence that the people are deeply
interested is the fact that President Webb
Crawford is daily receiving favora BILE
letters from all parts of the state en-
couraging the enterprise and wishing
for 1t every possible success. Prominent
state officials, lawyers, bankers and bus
mess men are among these who have
written cheering words. Many of them,
so Mr. Crawford says, also intimate their
intention of attending the races.
There is one fact connected with the
efforts of the inaugurators, and that is
OF mt Of I'D ffCtt. f,.,
sent broadcast over this and adjoining
states. and in fact, all over the country.
AS to the class of horses which will
participate in the coming meet knowing
ones of the racing world fully appreciate
the fact that at no track in the west or
south will there be a higher class of
horses than those who will race at this
meeting.
1t is now certainty that despite the
increased stable room, there will be a
greater demand than can be accommo-
dated If the club desired they could
have 600 horses here as easily as $50. Mr..
c. Walters yesterday telegraphed his
partner, Mr.. Dargin, asking If there were
any stalls not engaged. as many of the
best owners now in New Orleans were
anxious to ship here at once.
The races at New Orleans bring to that
| city alone at least 5000 visitors, and it Is
| safe to estimate that fully two-thirds of
| these will come here for the meeting.
| New Orleans is a great place for winter
| ing horses, but has one great drawback
| malaria-which often prevents horses
| from racing during an entire season. This
! is not a barrier in Birmingham, as has
| been conclusively shown, This climate
| is beneficial to horses, so veterinary sur
geonS say. and the thoroughbreds now
| in quarters here verify the assertion.
Truly has racing been termed king of
| sports" for where is there a more thrill
| ing sight than that of number of thor
| oughbreds coming down the home
| stretch each reaching out for a gain of
even 1 inch. The brutes actually seem
| to realize that but l inch may either
mean victory or defeat for them.
The coming meeting will, of course be
run under the American Turf congress
| rules, which are the same used by every
| turf organization in the west thus in
surfing for all patrons square deal for
| their money
w. H. Cheppu, who is connected with
| the Birmingham Jockey club and who is
| a man of wide experience on the turf and
| in the paddock, expresses the belief that
| this point will be made a great racing
| center, second to none In the south or
west.
| Many people who witness a race do
| not realize the Importance of the jockey.
| While it's true he appears to be an insig-
| nifeant feature, he is In reality an i'm
| portant factor Many of those who will
| ride here are high-salaried knights of the
| pig skin. The salaries of Jockeys range
| from $4,000 to 100000 a year. Last year H.
| Griffin received SIT 900 for first and second
| calls on his services. Sometimes a jock
| stands out for winning mount fee, but
usually they have standing agreement
| as to the amount to be paid them.
The jockey clubs of New York, Chi
| cago, San Francisco and other cities are
noted for their social features. This is
also intended to be the rule observed
here. The club house will be handsomely
| furnished so that it will always be an
| enjoyable place for patrons to drop into
| and enjoy a few hours during the after
noon.
At the grounds from early until late
everything is on the move. The man.
ayers, trainers, jockeys and stable boys
| are invariably on the jump.
Governor Sheehan, b. h. 5, by. Falsetto,
dam Altaire, the famous crack of the
Bryn-Mawrstable, is doing as we'll as
could be desired This flyer during the
past year started in fourteen races, win
ming twelve of them. He won the Christ
mas handicap at New Orleans carrying
121 pounds, and also the Brewers handi-
cap at a mile with lis pounds up in the
fast time of 1:40%, the record for that
track. Counsellor" Bill Brien, who can
fit horse to a day, and who stands I'M
equalled as a trainer, has this noble
brute in charge and says he is a sure
winner on the Birmingham track
c. c. O'Fallon's CHI. h. 5, Assignee, by
Spendthrft, dam Maid of Athol, has
met with a slight accident, having cut
his ankle on glass bottle. The cut is
bad, but not SO much so but that it will
be all right when the inaugural race is
run. He is very valuable horse. When
l year old j. r. Keene & Co. of New York
paid $1S, 900 for him.
w. J. Spiers has one On the strongest
stables in the west, including O'Connell,
CHI. g. 6, by Harry O'Fallon. dam May
Kennedy. This horse is considered one
of the fastest thoroughbreds going for
less than one mile. Other good things In
Mr.. Spiers' stable are Lizzetta, LaSalle,
Cumberland, Liselg. Elano, Waldine,
Maxima, Linnette and Philletta.
New Orleans Races.
New Orleans, La. March Clear.
cool weather and fast track marked the
racing here today. A half holiday crowd
of 5000 people were out, and good days
sport was witnessed with favorites and
outsiders dividing the six events, Marcel
l. lrxx.