The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-26
TROTWOOD PARK
 OPEN ID PUBLIC
John TrotWood Moore Deliver
 ed an Eloquent Address
WANTS SPORT ELEVATED
Although Everything Was Not Entire ly Ready for the Opening, the Days Sport Was Credit to the
 Management.

Trotwood park was opened yesterday Several hundred people visited the grounds. although 1t looked as if the rain would prevent the holding of the races.
 The feature of the afternoon was the address of John Trotwood Moore, after whom the park Is named. His address was listened to with great interest, and was one of the most masterly orations heard in Birmingham in many days,
 He especially urged that the Matinee club set a high standard and abide by that He spoke in favor of getting the races of the country out of the hands of the touts and professionals. and placing 1t in charge of gentlemen. This he said would uplift the sport and bring it for ward as 1t has never been brought be- fore In this country.
 MT. Moore also spoke in highest terms of Fred S. Wilkes, the great sire owned by William Jones and kept on his High land stud in the city limits Of Birming- ham, He called this horse one of the greatest sires of the age.
 When the speaker finished the applause was long and earnest, and he was con- graduated by many of the most promi- nent men of the city.
 New Era of Sport.
 The opening of the park is the com mencement of a new era in the history of horses in Birmingham. Just as the horse show brought out a better and fancier class of horses, the Matinee club Is destined to promote the purchasing and driving of fast horses by the business and social leaders of the city.
 On the grounds yesterday there were over 200 vehicles, the family carriages. runabouts and buggies of the best people of Birmingham. They had driven out to the park to enjoy an evening, and 1t was only the beginning of great many similar evenings.
 Although everything was not complete for the opening, still 1t was a credit in many ways to the management. The races were fast when it is considered that they have passed out of the hands of the professional race horse man into those of the best men of the city, and
 
 owned and sometimes driven by these gentlemen.
 This idea will be prominent throughout the series of racing events which the club will give this summer and next fall and horsemen believe that 1t will bring many fine animals to Birmingham and increase several hundred per cent the class of horses owned and driven by the business men of Birmingham.
 Number of Attractions.
 Besides the horses there are a number of other attractions at the park and as time progresses the management of the park expects to keep pace and improve ment will follow. The work on the grand stand has not begun, but before many weeks have elapsed a handsome stand will rise along the home stretch.
 There Is now a club house and stable complete. The club house is attractive and from its large porch the races can be witnessed. The stables are capable of accommodating about 100 horses and are so constructed that they can easily be enlarged to suit the demand.
 Although the races yesterday were confined to pacers and trotters. it is hoped by the management that before long runners will be seen on the track, and that the varied tastes of people can be satisfied.
 The track yesterday was fast, and 1t was considered very good half mile track The men who drove on 1t say that 1t is in excellent condition and will improve with age.
 The Races.
 The best time yesterday was in tho 2:4O pace. which was won by Hays Fly ing Squadron In three heats. P. G. Bow mans Jack spradley was the only horse which gave the winner a brush and they had three close finishes. The latter horse won one heat and was second in the other two. The time for the heats was 1:16h; 1:16; 1:15.
 The second race, trot, was won by R. J. Prowells Fox, which came second in the first heat, and first in the second