The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-05
AMERICAS BEST RACETRACK.
BELMONT PARK TO BE READY
ON NAY 4.
ata Cost OF $1,000. 900, the Great Plant
WI BE open TO the Public for the
First Time-Duilt On Magnificent
lines, with No Details Overlooked.

FIRST Time-BuIt On Magnificent
lines, With No Details Overlooked
II wall require the most diHgent sort Of
labor 70 get Belmont Park, the new ST.
oUOOo racetrack on Long Island ready
Tor the opening OF the spring meeting
there on May T. The work was started
two years ago, but the severity of the winter
has retarded things so much that the
biggest kind Of hustling will be ne cessaryto
complete the ma gnifcent plant in all its
extensive details. Still. if the weather is
favorable for the next two months. the
work will be finished in its entirety, 30 the
contractors say.
Morris Park will remain closed in order
10 permit Belmont Park 20 open, but the
racing public will find the new track
vast Improvement on the picturesque
course in Westchester When the Vest
chester Racing Association. or, rnther,
August Belmont and others who are as
soclated with him in turf AFFAIRS, deuded
TO build the new racetrack' they concluoed
10 spare no expense The plans tor the
track were drawn on the most elaborate
scale the idea being that Belmont PARK,
onse completed would be the grandest
l.oecours.s in the world and the real New
market Of America. On this basis, there
tone the work has been earned on, unui
the track in Queens county has become
the principal topic of the time anon
turfnen OF all classes.
Ga May 4, when the ponderous gates
are swung back for the thousands OF race
Yoars 10 enter the rich Metropolitan Handl-
cap the Juvenile Stakes ana the Whitney
Memorial Steepiechase Will be the chief
attractions. The crowd "a 1t pours into
Belmont Park on that day Will see the best
equipped racing plant in this country
il not IN the world. The track and Its glgan-
tic structures are located about an eighth
oi a mile from the gateways, and to reach
them one must pass through picturesque
grove which leads first TO the old Mannlce
mansion, now the permanent home oil the
Turf and Field Club thence TO the immense
grandstand. This structure IS $50 feet
long and will seat H. 600 spectators. IL
is built Of steel with brick foundations,
and has practically two decks under one
roof A short fight Of steps in the front
of the grandstand leads up TO the first
tier OF seats, which is ten deep. Eight or
ton feet above the gallery back OF these
seats the second tier begins. with wide
promenade behind the latter. There are
half a dozen wide galleries on the roof.
which afford superb view OF the entlre
course
In the lower tier OF seats nearest the
clubhouse are the private boxes, ninety
in ALL with another row OF boxes extend
ing the entire length OF the stand. The
usual bridge connects the grandEtand
with the clubhouse, which is the most
heautiful structure of its kind on any track
IN the East or west. III 10 COuStTuCLeQ Oh
gh pressed brick with stone trimmings,
three stories in height with two verandas
extending around three sides of IL. These
verandas are a series of pla forms with
drop OF six or eight inches, thus enabling
occupants TO see any kind OF race from
every point of vew- The interior Of the
clubhouse will be model as to solid COM
fort and richness. There is general loung-
ing room one flight up. while on the next
floor IL a dining room finished in oak here
are private rooms and apartments on the top
floor. which can be reached by an electric
elevator.
Tie field stand is a splendid affair built
entirely Of steel with concrete floor. II
will accommodate about 5000 spectators
who wish 10 have seats. but there will be
sanding room both inside Of this stand
and on the broad lawn for twice that mum
her Both the grand and field stands will
have large public restaurants and other
convonienccs The main betting ring. or
roiunda is located directly under and 70 the
rear Of the grnndsiand. II will be the
largest Ia the circuit and 200 boolnakers
can 10 business on big days with plenty of
elbow room. The jockeys building, which
includes the Offices Of the racing association,
X Just beyond the clubhouse. IL is fitted
with lounging room, a dressing room,
lockers shower baths and a broad veranda
from which the boys, when not riding. can
see the races in solid comfort
The paddock will surely be popular place
Saratoga and Sheepshead Bay and there
Is plenty OF room FOR everybody. On opPo-
site sides Of Tectangle are double rows
Of boxes, twenty on either side. with ample
space between TO walk horses in inclement
weather With an oyerhang shed all around
" There will be stable room for 500 horses,
built in sections Of ten. fifteen, twenty and
thirty stalls, and they will be modern in
every particular.
Tho track or series OF tracks will be in
rgrd condition Fcr n,ip ba
frost leaves tho ground. 1t has he'd two
winters In which to settle. The soil is a
sandy loan so well packed that such I
thing as deep mud Is expected 10 be I'M
known. The stooplecbase course has not
toen definitely decided upon yet. but IL
will not take long to lay IL out as soon as
Supt German has received his instruc
tons The races on tho circular tracks
will 10 run the reverse way. as in England.
That is to say the run through the home
stretch from spectators point Of view
Tlil ho nun from his right to his left
instead Of in the opposite direction, % at
I'll other Jockey Club tracks. AZ all Il
the track buildings have boen located
accordingly. with the field stand where
the clubhouses and paddocks usually are.
u can b taken for granted that this style
Of racing will be permanent fixture at the
nev track.
The Long Island Railroad officials say
mat their terminal facilities at the track
number OF mon are working on the job
night and day. According 10 the plans
that will 10 placed in effect. the railroad
WI be able 70 handle any number Of people
WITH crater convenience than. al any OF
the other tracks
=, From the terminal TO the grandstand 1
nero will be a tunnel while another subway
WI extend from the grandstand and lawn
under the main track TO the infeld, 80
nat on DAYS when there Ia an overflow
laLoHs will not have 10 cross the track
IN The way OF horses
" is believed that Belmont Park in the I
course Of time will become the permanent
ONE o. all the leading racing stables.
,R,,Agnst Belmont. James r. Keene r. T. .
W ueon Jr.. Harry Payne Whitney, Sydney
,aget' +. r. Thomas and others have al
ICY decided 70 build private quarters for
nor thorouEhhreds which will turn the
ace into yeritable Newmarket The i'm
''hSc amount OF money spent in construc- .
.n, together with the rich offerings In
-'NNF- and tho annual fol # M1rrfu