The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-22
INNOVATION At BENNING
Distance Racest to Be a Feature of
the Coming Fall Meeting.
Some Interesting Events That Are to
BE Run OR-Besidc the Washington
Will He an AttrnctlOn-A Great
Number of Speedy Horses Coming.

II the announcements of the Washington
Jockey Club are to be taken as fore
runner of what may be expected at the
November II, the occasion will go down
in turf history as the greatest of all the
gatherings at the -Benning track. The
jockey club. always liberal. has been more
than generous in its purses and added
money, and it offers such inducements to
horsemen to come here and earn their
winter expenses that the programme pre-
pared will be sure to attract the very best
horses now in training.
Among the many new fixtures for three
year-olds and upward is the Opening
Day Handicap" with $500 added, at seven
furlongs, to be run November II; the
Hunters Trial Steeplechase, at two miles,
to be run November 90; the District spe-
cial," with 500 added for three-ycar-olds
and upward, seven-furlong heats. to be
run November "a: the Washington Cup
for three year olds and upward, with
$500 added, at two miles and quarter,
to be run November 20. Thanksgiving
Day; the December Special" for three
year-olds and upward, one mile and hall,
with 500 added, to be run Saturday, De-
cember 1; the Maximum" for three
year-olds and upward, with $1,000 added,
three miles, to be run Saturday, Decem-
Der s. Also the Hunters Champion
Steeplechase," with s40O added, and plate
of the value of SIS to the winner, two
miles and n half.
The promotion of distance races is a
step in the right direction, as too little
consideration has been given to the three
ar-old and upward division, and entire
ly too much to the two-year-olds. 1t Will
certainly enhance the sport, and it will
increase the interest of the public, VINO
prefer to witness q race over distance
of ground to the usual sprint. the out
come of which is very often decided by
the start. That these races will be inter-
esting there is no doubt, and they ought
to bring together the best handicap
horses now in training.
Everything possible is being done by
the club in getting ready for what is as
sured to be an overflow meeting, SO lar
as horses are concerned. What puzzles
the club now is how they are going to ac-
commodate the many applicants for stalls.
To relieve the congestion as much as
possible President Rowland has ordered
that during the meeting all yearlings
shall be denied the use of the track, and
stall room will only be given to horses
ready to race at this meeting. Horses
not intended for racing will have to be
stabbed somewhere else and their stalls
given to actual starters.
The improvements at the track-are so
many that the public may be prepared to
be agreeably surprised. While the Wash
ington Jockey Club has outdcne itself in
liberality Of purses and added money. for
the horsemen, they have been no way
niggardly in expanding money for the
convenience and comfort Of their patrons.
No one knows better than President How
land what the Washington public require,
and his faith in their full appreciation
will be demonstrated at the coming meet
ing by the crowds which will come to see
attractive and clean racing, enhanced by
order, comfort. and association with the
best class of people.