The Washington times., 1902-07-05

NEW YORK, July 4.-Nore memorable
than ever before in its history will be
the running of the historic Brighton
Handicap tomorrow on the opening day
of the summer race meeting at the lit
tie track by the sea" For one reason,
1t will signalize and give luster TO the
initiation of a New Brighton" whose
luxurious appointments will make the
eyes of the ancient beachcomber stare
in amazed bewilderment. Moreover, the
big race will be witnessed, given sun
shiny day, by a far greater crowd OF
patrons than ever before wilted its
linen in a mad scramble to pre-empt the
best seats and other points of vantage
from which to see its money lost or
won. Not less than $4,000 persons
it is estimated by the management, will
be present, and such a crowd, in the
comparatively confined limits of the
tight little course will surely tax its
resources to the utmost; whereas, if
scattered throughout the more commo-
dious stands and lawns of Morris Park,
1t would be easily handled and excite
no unusual comment. Intrinsically. too.
the Brighton Handicap of 1902 has spe-
cial merit. Among the probable starters
are the bluebloods of the equine world
gallant knights and highstrung danes,
with winged hoofs and hearts of oak that
never falter nor grow faint from fiagfall
to finish. But of them more hereafter.
Ever Popular Track.
Even since its inauguration, more
than two decades ago. Brighton has had
a warm spot in the hearts of the masses
the OF polloi of the racing world. The
farmers son and the small salaried
clerk have regarded it as their very own
and have made 1t a point of honor to take
their sweethearts at least once a year
ito the Brighton meet" at whatever sac
rifice, even though glued to the high
stool or plow every other racing day
from May to November. Probably they
have never once seen the undulating
stretches and expansive lawns of Morris
Park, breathed the aristocratic air of
GuttpsItdu Day, dLiNs uOuDAltSS, IL lHti
have, they felt instinctively that their
modest Sunday y-go-to-mcetin's and Man
cy's crisp print gown we're sad misfts
n the galaxy of fashion set up for show
III the racing haunts of their Weather
brothers and sisters. II short, they did
not feel "at home" and were sadly en-
barrassed what TO do with their hands
and feet when they paraded in front of
the battery of lorgnettes and opera
glasses that stared from the exclusive
clubhouses and grandstands in search
of aught to interest or amuse their en-
nuied owners
Dear to the Masses.
But Brighton-dear old Brighton, Here
they are-ever in their element, shifting
the salt sea zephyrs as unctuously and
throwing out their negligee shrtfronts
as proudly as the best of them. and
meanwhile talking horse" to Mandy
and the universe around them with as
much authority as the trainer of
hundred winners. To this spirit of loyal
ty and bon comraderie much OF the
prosperity and popularity OF Brighton
has been due. and it must not be sup
posed that in the tracks rejuvenation
aught has been done TO suppant this
atmosphere by an AR OF too much luY-
Try or eXclusiYeneSs. On the contrary
all pains have been taken by President
William Engeman and his assistants 10
conserve all the best of the old tradi-
tions of the track and at the same time
provide accommodations for the large
society element that nowadays Is seen
l.
courses. Incidentally, too, a certain
rough element. a legacy from the old
merry go-round days of the early SOS,
will discover in the new order of things
that its room is coveted by the manage
ment more than its company.
Free and Easy Sway Gone.
Time was when the free and easy sway,
TO put it mildly, of this aforementioned
class of patrons was potent influence.
From 1879, the date of the tracks inau-
guration. until 1895. when the new man
agement came in, the track was very
much on the merry go-round order. and
the pulling of of unsavory tricks" was
OF such common occurrence as to excite
no more than a passing wink and
kulie. III luDst nays the BTal0StaIQ
was tight little board affair through
which by no possibility could a breath Of
the oceans freshness percolate Very
appropriately il was called the sweat
box" and boundless as the ocean in the
rear is the old-timer's memory OF the
amount OF profanity induced thereby
The "clubhouse" then was a tumble
down old shanty in which the horny
handed bcachcomber trainers were wont
to congregate after the races over bot
Ties OF appleJack, with hard cider for a
chaser" which combined constituted
the staple tipple OF the day known as
store fence" 1t was in those DAYS.
too, that Father Bill" Daly's stento-
rian voice was heard there in the early
morning hours instillins into the minds
OF the future Garrisons and O'Connors
the precepts OF jockeyship that have
since made them famous. and the swish
OF the old mans balestick as the after
nath Of a particularly sluggish ride is
still fresh in the memories and viii for
ever liDger about the anatom:es OF a !
score OF lads who from time to time