New-York tribune., 1905-01-02
BELMONT PARK READY. NEED FIRE PROTECTION.
Leading Orcners Building P1Udte
Stables at Ne7V Track.

Belmont Park. the racetrack near Queens
Long Island. which has been in course of construc-
ton for years. IS practically completed. 5. 3
Rowland, who has given much Of his time to the
work IN the interests of August Belmont and the
Westchester Racing Association, said day or two
ago that the crandstand rooted in and that
the finishing touches and general clearing up
would put the big inclosure in readiness for the
first meeting in the spring. This is cause for con-
graduation The undertaking big one. and
1t has been completed only after the expenditure
of vast of money and almost endless work
and labor. 1t is done. however. and it only re-
mains for racing folk to see to approve and, ap
proving. stay enjoy.
Even it be said that the opening day,
whenever 1t may be. will be memorable one in
the history OF the American turf. The big grand
stand, the commodious clubhouse, the free field
and the lawns will permit of sixty thousand people
viewing the in comfort. and in all proba-
bility crowd of record breaking proportions Will
go down TO the Metropolitan Handicap decided
and pass Judgment what will be the greatest
racecourse. not only IN this country. but in the
world The Jockey Club has not yet announced
the dates for year, but there is wen defined
rumor that the Brooklyn Jockey Club meeting at
GraNesend will precede that of the Westchester
Racing Association this year. which will bring the
opening OF Belmont Park late in May or early IN
June.
Belmont Park will be turf headquarters and the
home OF the Jockey Club 1t has been aptly called
the Newmarket of America, but in point OF fact 1t
is an Improvement the great English racecoursc.
according to the view of those who have seen both.
It lacks. of course, the traditions which make
Newmarket known the world over, but in appoint
ments, completeness and accommodations II excels.
Built on modern lines, and the most approved
style possible after a careful study of all require
ments with the advantage of past experience, and
without stint as 10 cost. ii is a model of what
great racing incosure should be, Nothing is lack
ing that will make for the pleasure and accommo-
datiou racegoers Jockeys. trainers and handlers
and for the comfort and good health of the thor
oughbreds-
Following the English method. the races will be
run the reverse way of the track. This has been
cause for constant comment among horsemen and
followers Of the sport since the announcement was
made two years ago. The plan does not meet with
/ general approval. those who argue. and
with some reason. that the change in the way Of
running from the other tracks will result in the
complete upsetting of public form, that horses
will run green and that some jockeys will not take
kindly TO the style. There is no recourse. how
ever in all probability both horses and jockeys
will quickly adapt themselves 10 the changed con-
ditions even though the onlookers take longer to
reconcile themselves to the new plan and change of
vision
A number of well known owners have taken ad-
vantage of the offer the Westchester Racing AS
sociation TO build private stables in the mclosure
under free lease of the land. August Belmont,
Harry Payne Whitney. James r, Keene, r. L
Wilson, jr., and several others are building, ana
this feature, at once practical and unusual Will
/ OT
been the dream but the realization Of horse
men heretofore. The leading owners who have
ayaed themselves of this offer have received SUM-
cient ground build stables. cottages where their
trainers with their families. may live; quarters
for the men, kitchens and OIL other things which
eo IN make I'D n perfect and complete establish
ment Each plot will be separate and exclusive
in itself although subject, Of course. TO necessary
| restrictions.
The public stables OF which there are over one
hundred with fifteen stalls each, have been built
with the greatest care and with every modern con-
yenence that experience suggested or the test or
| use approved. In every respect the stables and
quarters are far superior to any now IN existence
/ and the drudgery of training and caring for the
! horses has been minimized TO a degree. Trainers
who have visited the new park have. without ex-
eepton. expressed satisfaction and qualification at
the extent and beauty of the place and the ia
cilities afforded for training and handling their
charges John Hyland said after visit to the
/ track: 81 had heard so much about Belmont Park
that I expected much, but what l saw far ex-
ceeded my expectations. and don't see how II
could be improved in any particular detail from
n trainers point of view
| Belmont Park has been acquired and built at
cost of close to S5,O0O00. Constructed with view
IN absolute stability of site and 20 beauty of
| roundIngs no money has been spared. although it
! has been we'll and economically expended. The
Grading alone coat $4,000 and the tracks of which
there are Ave nearly perfect as engineering
! SKIN can make them. The clubhouse is a model of
kind, and the huSe BTdIuSlaIu, toJ Ieet lOnS Dy
80 feet wide, has been constructed with view
/ sineIy TO the convenience and accommodation of
/ racing folk The seats are arranged that
! I1DohstrilCted be had from each and the
I promenades broad and roomy. the dining and
/ Tetiring rooms commodious. and even emer-
( gency room mas been provided, where a trained
! nurse will be in attendance. The grandstand is
T bIIilt in tiers. and seats have also been
ranged on the roof as at Sheepshead Bay. The
! paddock roonly and picturesque and the free
teld and jockey quarters are in keeping with the
/ The main track is one mile and half in circum-
! ference the turf track mile and three-e ghths
/ and the steepechase course one mile and quar-
ter There is also straightaway chute OF seven
/ furIongs for sprint races, without turn or elbow.
and q mile training track. which Is so built that if
/ track This training track is a distinctive feature
as in stormy weather The main track can have
better and constant care as II VIII rot be cut up
nv the horses at exercise Charles w. Leayitt. ir.
/ faithfully and his efforts have appaFently been
! crowned with the highest success.
There are in the park, and TINS Dig tract
/ rarity wooded. is almost ideal spot FOR a day 3
Iuentalist ana enthusiasts because OF It's grandeur
! and general freedom from sordid Commercial lism.
! belmont Park wi prove a worthy successor, now
4 ever n0 time. perhaps, prove ever ii!Oie pop
! ,,Ior tbao the old home or the Jockey Club
/ n NAV be said IN passing that the trainc ar
ranseu,ents VII be complete IN every detail, par
ticuary at tho park end The tei imnat ma VII WI con
ssG of len tracks, each one hundred ieet long ex-
,anding east ana west. The seven platforms IN
/ t6e yard will be rooted like the station az Long
ISiand C,ity There Will be two elevated piatloTIis
Iafon frorn the street surface line on Jainaica-
Eve and Hampstead Turnpike A pass ,s SUP tL
80 twentv feet in width viii pass uIuer the
entire system of ira ks ana ilss cnyn,no -
~ s,rface near the large grandsand rouI ~
viii rounect the track with the Hai" "'i0 " 80