The record-union., 1897-10-27
A NEW DEAL IN COURSIAG.
THE SPORT TO BE CONDUCTED
ON A HIGH PLANE.
Hare and Hound Privilege at the
Park Secured by Hanlon
and Eagan.

and Eagan.
Coursing circles in this city and vicin-
ity will be interested in knowing that
there has been an entirely new deal
In connection with the sport in Sacra-
mento.
The coursing privileges at Agricultur-
al Park have been secured by George
Eagan and William II. Hanlon, ana
henceforth the meetings and every
thing in connection Herewith VIII De
conducted on a scale in keeping win
that of the most prominent coursins
parks in the country.
Park or inclosed racing for hounds
and hares is becoming a recognized
sporting feature in all parts OF the IN
ion, especially in the West. open
country meetings are held once or twice
a year, and they are great events, but
they do not warrant patrons OF the
sport in maintaining kennels Of valua-
bic and high class dogs for two or three
meetings a year, hence the popularity
of inclosed park coursing.
At Ingleside. San Francisco, the
weekly meetings are now second only
in Importance to those of the great
jockey clubs, and often outclass the
latter in point of attendance, excite
ment and enthusiasm 1t is not an
uncommon thing TO see ten thousand
persons at a meeting at the Ingleside
Coursing Park, and often there are
from five to eight booksellers engaged
in selling pools on the courses.
One enthusiastic patron of the chase
81, oft 81 ,ofe hon 1c
that cost him $4,000, and the care and
training Of these heet-footed animals
gives employment to a large number of
men. Indeed, so popular has the sport
become in San Francisco that the
Coursing Association has found it nee
essary to hold two or three meetings a
week in order TO accommodate the large
and increasing number of entries.
Messrs. Hanlon and Eagan have
long been among the foremost patrons
of the chase in this city, and in taking
the management of the park (for cours-
ing only they recognize the fact that
to popularize the sport and firmly es-
tablish it on high plane it must be
conducted on first-class principles.
To begin with, they have made con-
tracts for regular supplies of selected
hares from Upton, in the San Joaquin
Valley-the home of the jack-rabbit,
where the species traverse the plains
like fiocks Of sheep-and the first in
voice of $50 of the strongest hares OBJ
tainable will reach here in a day or
two.
A competent person has been en-
ployed TO look after the hares at all
times, and there need be no fear that
the quality or supply will ever run
short Of the requirements of the meet
ings. Perfect order will be maintained
at all times, and rules similar to those
governing well-conducted horse-rae1ng
meetings will be strictly enforced
The grand stand will be kept in con-
dltion for occupancy, and will always
be found clean and tidy, with a special
officer on duty to maintain order While
the racing is in progress.
The most important consideration
that of thoroughly honest and compe-
tent officials in the field-has not been
overlooked. Heretofore the sport hes
suffered in this city through lack of
confidence in the efficiency OF
the officers in charge of the running,
and the resultant want of respect for
their rulings. Not but that these off
Gals have always been honest men,
who have performed their arduous du-
ties to the best of their ability This
they have done, but often to the dis
satisfaction of dog owners, and the re-
suit has been dissension and ill-feeling.
All this trouble will be overcome un-
der the new management. There is
not coursing man on the coast WHO
is not aware that Jimmy" Wren
knows all about the fine points OF
coursing, and there is not one who
would presume to criticise his decis-
ions. Wherever coursing is admired
there James Wren is known and his
ability as a judge respected
Well, Messrs. Hanlon & Egan have
secured the services of Mr. Wren as
permanent judge, and he will be in the
saddle next Sunday, at the opening
meet. and when his flag goes up the
patrons of the sport will know that
they have had a square deal
Not less important than the judging
is the slipping of the dogs. An incom-
petent or dishonest slipper can give one
dog a big advantage over its adver-
sary, and owners have found much K
complain of in the slipping in past
years, NAcAuSi justly OE not. Ouuel
the new management the slipping vii
be done entirely by John Grace, Jr., sor
of the San Francisco veteran, who ha.
had years of experience in that line Of
duty and is recognized as one of tht
best slippers that ever handled The
leash.
After the new management gets vel
under way it is the intention to have
the best dogs in the State come here
10 compete with the heet-footed hounds
of Sacramento hence some exciting
races may be expected during the sea
son.
For the opening day, next Sunday
there viii be a large field Of the bes
dogs in this vicinity. The races vii
begin promptly at 10 o'clock. and Will
competent officials who will rigidly anC
impartially enforce the rules, patrons
need have no fear of delays or tedious