Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-28
BENN|NG'S NEW TRACK
Course Now One of the Best
in the Country.
MANY NEW STABLES
FALL MEETING PROMISES TO BE
A GREAT SUCCESS.
Purses Will Be Increased-Large En-
try List for Stake Events
Horses Already Arriving.

hoTSeS Already Arriving.
RECONSTRUCTED Benning is one of the
best tracks and as pretty race course as
is to be found in America" declared Presi-
dent S. 8. Rowland of the Washington
Jockey Club, after he had carefully inspect
ed the new track, the new stables and the
other great Improvements that have been
made during the past summer. Mr.. How
lands enthusiastic comment is unquali-
fledly approved by every one who has lately
visited the course. The new Benning will
be revelation to the sport-loving people
of Washington when the gates are thrown
open Monday, November 10, for the first
day of the autumn meeting. Last year the
Jockey Club confined it's attention to pro-
viding new comforts for it's patrons, and
the big new steel grand stand, the new bet
ting ring and the new paddock are the re-
suit of the clubs labor and liberality. With
the close of the spring meeting last April
the club officials set about to beautify the
course, to reconstruct the track in entirety,
to increase the stablng capacity and to
do whatever else possible to bring Ben
ming to par with the plants of the richest
racing associations in the east How well
they have succeeded in these new purposes
the Washington people will soon see and be
able to Judge for themselves.
demonstrating the Track.
From the sportsman's point of view the
rebuilding Of the track itself ranks first in
Importance, all things considered. The 60
ing at Benning is expected to equal that of
any track of this character, and it is pre-
dicted that track records will be broken
day after day. The mile circuit has been
reconstructed throughout, and the turns,
hot 60
have been banked so that the outer edge u
three feet higher than at the inside rail
The Importance of perfect banking at the
turns cannot be overestimated, and means
an Improvement in racing conditions be-
yond anything Washngtonians have ever
seen on a home course.
The Jockey Club officials are awaiting
with happy anticipation the comments that
will come from an admiring crowd on the
opening day next month. From the stand
point of the thousands who daily visit the
race courses, but whose interest is not en-
tirely conferred in track conditions, the
grassy slopes that have replaced the ugly
old clay banks around the turns will come
in for the greatest share of attention and
approval. The place has fairly been trans
formed. Around by the paddock and be-
yond. where there were formerly bare and
nnsightly stretches of dirt, crowded with
stable boys there is now graded slope,
covered with velvety grass. An eyesore
has been truly turned into a thing of beau
ty. The slope has been fenced in. and the
enthusiastic stablemen will now have to
view the races from afar. The banks lead
ing from the track to the infield have also
been planted in grass and are now beauti-
fully green. The turf in the infield has
been cleared of all weeds Wherever the
gaze may fall there are to be seen grano-
lithic walks, the greenest Of grass and the
restful color tones Of the loan on the
track. ...l
In addition to the extensive paving and
the grass planting that have done so much
to beautify Benning. every foot Of the in
ner and outer railing to the track has been
freshly painted. The quarter poles are
newly ringed with red, the wings to the
jumps on the steeplechase course have
been rebuilt and painted white. The track
rails are also white, the supporting posts
being finished In maroon. The old and
jaded brush has been removed from all
the steeplechase jumps and in its place
have been planted verdantly green hedges.
New Judges Stand.
A new judges stand has been constructed
directly in front Of the grand stand. It
is a handsome little building and is rooted
over with vari-colored slate. Just across
the track a new timers stand has been
constructed. 1t is a smaller edition of
the edifiee of the judges Alongside the
timing stand a new announcement board
has been set up. 1t is here that the horses
who will run are posted, together with the
names of their riders, and it Is also here
that the numbers of the winners are hoist
ed. When the flags are waving over grand
stand, club house and paddock, and the
are fiuttering at the steeple-
chase jumps when the holiday crowd has
filled the course and the silks of the jockeys
are flashing in the autumn sun, then in
deed Benning will be the beautiful place
its promoters have so earnestly striven to
make It.
President Rowland was in town during
the week and spent much time at the
track. He formally accepted the new
track and the new stables from the con-
tractors, Levitt & Cooper. AMI declared
without equivocation that Washington now
has one of the finest and prettiest race
courses in this country.
Great Meeting Promised.
THE coming meeting-from November 10
to the 29th-will be the greatest we have
ever known" said Mr.. Rowland. THE
ra cing men Of the east all looking for
ward to coming to the capital city. The
interest in New York is universal and
all of the big racing stables
will be represented. The largest num-
Der Of stake races ever run on a local
course are to be decided at the coming
meeting. These stakes, ranging in value
up to as high as $1,000 or $40, 600, must at
tract the very best horses in training.
l am truly delighted with the new Ben
ming and 1 believe the Washington people.
when they have seen the course as it Is
now arranged will be mighty proud Of
claim title to such an institution"
Mr.. Rowland said that from now until
the first day Of the meeting The grounds
will be open 20 visitors. The Jockey Club
is proud of the work that has been ac-
complished and is anxious that the peo-
pie should inspect the place before the
meeting begins.
AS the Benning grounds will be revela-
ton to all local and visiting race patrons,
will he a revelation horse
owners The rebuilding Of the course has
already had it's effect In attracting to the
coming meeting stables that have never be-
fore raced here. With the new track and
the rich stakes on the card the Washing
ton meetings will hereafter rank right up
ri of raoinr