The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-10
THE eleventh OF JUNE.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT
RACING DAY.
The Track at Waikiki Being Put Into
Repair, and Horses Being Trained for
0t
the Coming Contests.

The 18th of June-Hawaiis Derby
Day-is drawing nigh. On the 18th of
June everybody in Honolulu is suppos-
ed to be as excited as members of a
London stock exchange receiving news
of a CTonje surrender For one day,
supposed to be the anniversary of the
birth of the great Kamehameha, bust
ness, public and private, gives way to
contests between fleet horses. The
track at Waikiki is being put into shape
for the races, and already over a score
of steeds whose owners think they can
win glory and prizes are training on
the spot.
One of the first things the malihinl
learns is that the 18th of June in Homo
lulu is supposed to be like the 18th of
March ought to be in Dublin, the Attn
of July in America, or a queens dia-
mond jubilee day in London. The ma
tive who doesn't spread himself on the
18th of June and wend his way track
wards arrayed in brillinacy of costume
enough for japanese comic opera, howl
ing himself hoarse and betting himself
into bankruptcy or affiuence, is not a
true Hawaiian. Whether Kamehamena
was or was not born on the 18th of
June matters not. 1t is the day on
which there is opportunity to celebrate
the birth of the greatest of Hawaiians
and there is nothing half-hearted about
the way the celebrating is done.
The haole has his September regatta
day, in which he whoops up good deal
of excitement, but when the 18th Of
June comes round and the native gets
his leis on and starts for the race track,
the haole has to admit that he isn't in
1T when it comes to getting up real ex-
element over sports.
Last years 18th of June lasted a day
and a half. There were too many races
10 ri in do CO ~ 1a1Ny to-,
was continued. This year there is like
ly to be another big program, with good
stakes and plenty of exciting contests.
The Hawaiian Jockey Club will hold a
meeting in a few days to make ar
rangements for the day 1t falls on
Monday this year. j. S. Walker, sec
rotary of the club, does most of the
managerial work.
The 18th of June races are open to
any one who has horse ne thinks can
run. Cash prizes of various sizes are
put up, as well as cups and other tro-
phies. The races will be of all kinds
and lengths, so that any one who has
horse can find a contest that will suit
him. Those who haven't horses are
supposed to go and watch and pick the
winners.
1t is a little too early yet for en-
| tries, or to estimate the number OF
steeds that will chase one another
around the track, but the amount of in
| terest among the probable competitors
bespeaks a day that will not lose In
comparison with the Kamehameha days
of the past, Formal entries are not
| made until the eve of the races, by
which time there will have been enough
controversies over the powers of the
| different horses to fill al the books
There are more good horses in Honolulu
than ever before, it is said. During tht
past year importations have been very
large, and number of blooded animal;
have come into the country. For thi:
/ reason it is expected that this time
| there will be some very fast running
and big prizes are talked of for the
| blue blooded animals.