The Washington times., 1902-07-05

'SAaiiaaiSbr ID. dEuS. 1'N, hllIul, 81,
Bobbinet, 90; Ahumada, 101
served their arduous apprenticeship un-
der the harsh old horsemans tutelage.
II is indeed far cry from those primi-
tive days to the new era that will greet
Brighton's patrons tomorrow. when they
VII! see a racing plant second to none
in the land in point of utility and COM
fort for man and beast When. in 1895
the rotten old wooden grandstand, which
had annually blown away in alternate
halves heretofore went up in smoke foI
good and all. President Engeman Sc
cured control and announced that he
intended to make the plant a model for
future generations of racing associa-
tions. AT first the announcement elicit
ed only incredulous grins, but straight
way arose the present unique grand
stand, and incredulity changed to open
eyed wonder. The like of it had never
been seen before. II was built especially
to meet the eXigencies of the track S
peculiar location to admit freely to all
parts the invigorating ocean hreezes and
at the same time withstand the fury of
tornadoes and tidal waves. 1t is built
entirely of steel. with open framework
and back. so that 1t is literally swept
by ocean breezes,' and is, therefore, the
coolest structure of the kind in the
world It's foundations are sunk deep
in cement. bricked around to a depth OF
twelve feet. and, lastly, steel-riveted
through the massive granite blocks that
support the uprights. The roof is built
On the cantilever plan, with girders
stretching from rear to front, and.
oerched high upon its steel uprights and
with its tremendous overhang, resem-
bling nothing more than one of Santos
Dumont's alrships on gigantic plan.
The grandstand seats comfortably 1000
persons, and every one of its arena
like seats commands a perfect view Of
the entire course.
Ample Betting Ring.
OF the betting ring. suffice it to say
that It is larger than that of any other
Of the metropolitan tracks. save only
the ring at Morris Park, and is far more
airy and cooler than any in this country
Thus the proverbial discomfort of the
letting inclosure will be reduced to a
minimum. Another excellent new. fea-
ture is the 75-cent field, with its new
grand stand. built to correspond in ar
chitecture with the more pretentious
grand stand. The field stand seats 1000
persons with comfort, the chairs being
OF the same design as those in the larger
stand and the view of the track just as
good, albeit further removed from the
finish line. Alongside the field stand
ranges the field betting ring. which is
just as rigidly supervised as the larger
ring. but where modest wagers can be
made of sums that would be disdainfully
shifted aside if offered to the long
pursed members of the Metropolitan
Turf Association. The price OF admis-
sion to the field stand has been raised
this year to 10 cents, and the accom-
modations are well worth the price
Indeed, nothing is lacking to the ma
terial comfort and enjoyment of the
free-felders that has been provided for
the occupant Of the 81 seats in the
larger stand. There viii be less OF
fashion, and it VIII cost less-that Is
all.
Spick and Span.
Imagine all this tomorrow. spick and
span. new and bright with fresh paint,
green verdure. and the beauty of flowers
Picture 1t filled to overfowing with the
best-natured holiday crowd Of the rae
ing year in dress parade back and forth
over the spotless promenades and vel
vety lawns. In Imagination draw
deep breath OF the stimulating saltness
waited in from over the whte-capped
sea, only a stones throw distant. Hum
to yourself the strains of "Bloomin'
Lie" and My Sambo." as they will be
played by Lander's full band. and, finally.
conjure up, II you can, the indescribable
roar from the multitude OF throats that
viii greet the victor in the great raca,
and then forget your vain imaginipgs
and vow. as you surely viii, II true
sporting blood flows in your veins, not
by any chance to miss tomorrow's gala
opening at the little track by the sea-
Sport Vastly Popular.
All these extensive improvements. say
President Engeman and Vice President
Battersby, are but fitting accompauiinents
to the new era in turf annals, which is
attended by greater popularity for the
sport and far more prosperity 10 the
Racing Association than la
ever before been attained In this country.
says Mr. ERgeman. are twcfold, being
due first to the high standard OF excel
lence to which the sport has been raised
by the vigilance of the State Racing Com
mission and the !iberality of the Metro
politan Racing Association; ana, second
~, TO the general prosperity of the coun-
try. Such wholesale patronage OF the
race tracks as has been evidenced this
season deserves nothing less than the
very best of service by the racing asso-
Citations for the comfort and convenience
Of their patrons.
Therefore we are getting aboard the
the band wagon" says Vice President
tersely. in explanation OF
activity. With like enthusi-
lsm are imbued all the other officers OF
this progressive track. Secretary John
Bodcn. jr.. is keenly alive to the necessity
Of providing good fields for all races, and
his initial performance leaves nothing
10 be desired. Superintendent James
Clare, too. has done his part, and no track |
m the country is faster or safer than |
that at Brighton. He has also entirely |
rebuilt the steeplochasc course until It is |
now a model cross country track.