The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-08-23

WRITTEN FOR THE SUNDAY REPUBLIC.
What promises to be distinct departure
In methods of race-traclk construction is
now under way at the northwest corner
OF Union boulevard and the Natural Bridge
road. where the new course Of the Union
Jockey Club is under construction. 1t is
planned TO introduce into this track the
features considered responsible for the fast
time made over the Washington Park
course near Chicago.
This idea is to have slight dip in both
back stretch and home stretch, the theory
that such a plan gives faster course than
one constructed on dead fiat seeming to
be upheld by past experience. 1t will be
the first time that such plan has been
followed in building a track around here.
and much is hoped for in the matter Of fast
time.
This slight variation from the level will
not be perceptible TO the naked eye. 1t will
merely be the funniest difference in grade.
caused by slight incline In part of each
stretch. Washington Parks course has at
least six different gradients IN its circuit,
according to report. and this fact is con-
sidered responsible for some of the fast
time made over the track.
The theory is. that the different grades
bring various sets Of muscles into play
on the part of horses running over the
track. thct this gives relief to each set of
muscles In turn. and that a higher rate of
speed can thus be maintained without ia
tisue than on an absolutely fiat surface.
washington Park holds many records en-
the running turf. Yet its composition and
turns are just about the same as those of
other Chicago tracks over which no similar
speed has been shown. The deduction drawn
Is. that the grades of the course are re-
sponsible Cor the speed displayed.
KINLOCH COMPARED.
Kinloch is halfway example of this.
The back stretch is distinctly uphill. and
tho home stretch is 6ownhill at about the
same grade. This track has no facilities for
watering and elaborate preparation as have
the Fair Grounds and Deimar, yet faster
time, at many distances, has been made
over the knloch course with its diverging
It Is admitted, OF course. that some horses
are Affected by the steepness Of the hill up
which they must run on Kinloch's back
stretch. while others seem to prop them
selves on the abrupt descent OF the home
stretch. The theory on which the new
course is constructed is to have grades
only enough to rest the muscles, and mot
abrupt enough to cause any horses incon-
venience.
nS pan Is peIHB carefully l0uOWeJ, ana
the result Is expected to be gratifying. R.
j. Dodds is the civil engineer in charge OF
the surveying. and he has already aligned
the outlines OF the track, He constructed
the Madison track and aided In the build
ing Of. Montgomery Park, besides having
many other courses to his credit In an en-
gineering way.
The site itself has taken on z vastly dif-
commenced some time since. and big
steam shovel and twenty wagons are now
busy on the ground cutting out the spot
where the grand stand and betting ring
are to stand, and constructing the first
turn of the course.
Instead of a quiet. country Enclosure. ft-
ted for pasture only, the big track on
Union avenue is now a busy enough place
Two contractors have their camps and
squads OF men upon the scene, and the
outlines of the race track are already visi.
BILE.
Mike Hanick and F. B. Berglar. are hand:
ling the work. Each has big dirt shovel
At work. one contractors apparatus being
worked by steam. the other by from four.
teen to twenty mules. Each has long
line Of dirt wagons following the big SHOW
fifteen to thirty seconds. Each team Is
then driven around the bend Of the new