Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-02
WINTER RACING BEGINS
TODAY AT NEW ORLEANS

NEW ORLEANS, December 2.-Real
winter racing will begin today with the
arrival Of the turf followers from Ben
ming. The newcomers will increase the
present daily attendance considerably and
help enliven the betting ring.
Clarence Mcdowell. who for many years
has been the presiding Judge on the east
ern tracks and at the Crescent City
Jockey Club. will take his old place in the
stand. Mars Cassidy, the eastern starter
will of1ciate. The change to Cassidy. II
is hoped, will bring about better results
in starting, for many races have been de-
cided by poor work with the barrier.
The racing at New Orleans this winter
promises to be the best ever held in the
south. The liberal amount of added money
in the overnight races and in the stakes
has attracted more horses of higher
quality than have ever raced here before
The good horses have been the means OF
inducing the best of the jockeys to try
their luck, and. with the exception of Wal
ter Miller and Guy Burns, who are on the
evidence with such jockeys as Notter
Mcdaniel. Sumter and Delaby on the
ground there will be no complaint Of a
lack of competent riders. Notter will ride
Charley Ellison's horses and Mcdaniel
will work for Fred Burlew.
Although the race meeting Is only re"
days Old it has been long enough to show
that there are two most promising light
weight Jockeys here, who will prooaoiS
end the season with many winners to thelI
credit. These lads are Sumter and Della
by. Each has achieved marked success
They are bitter rivals.
Sumter Favorite Jockey.
So far Sumter is the favorite, as he has
shown skill of high order in all races
from a sprint to a steady plod over long
route. This lad. who is miniature OF
Walter Miller in looks, can ride al sew
enty-six pounds. In spite Of his lack Of
fatty tissue, bone and muscle he can ride
a heavy-headed thoroughbred to the bes'
advantage. He has a nice seat In the sad
die, fine hands and can resist the tempta
ton to whip horse until the critica
many races by his ability to hand ride
While other youngsters cut and sash z
horse with whip and permit their mount:
to swerve, Sumter guides his horse
through the intricate mazes of the race D!
supporting his head with good hold OF
the reins.
Dick Watkins controls Delaby ane
makes his engagements for him. Sum
ter is under contract to James McCor-
mick, and in addition to riding the lat
ter's horses he pilots Fred Burlew's thor
oughbreds whenever the weights call FOL
less than 100 pounds.
Racegoers will be treated to pleas
ant surprise when they visit the old Fan
Grounds. which will open its gates De-
cember q. This course, long the home
of the Crescent City Jockey Club, has
been thoroughly overhauled. In place oil
the old grandstand a steel edifice. new
betting ring, paddock, many new stables
and a remodeled track will be shown.
The course has been rebuilt About
500. 600 has been expended. daily
average of 200 workmen have been busy
for eight months. The track will be as
thoroughly modern the one at City
Park In making the many improve.
natural surroundings has been disturbed
When it was decided to tear away the
old grandstand, the old paddock and
Offices. the entire steel framework OF
the Union Park grandstand at St. Louis
was purchased. This stand is now ir
place. 1t is 800 feet long and will &C
commodate from $500 to 1900 racegoers
Big Paddock Is Enclosed.
The paddock, which is one of the larg-
est in the country. will be completely in.
closed and the thoroughbreds will be
secure from draughts. 1t Is e by 1875 feet
and contains twenty stalls.
Billy Myer, who has been general super
intendent of the track for the past three
years, has made wonderful progress ir
rebuilding. The course has been moved
fifteen feet further east and the judges
stand and winning post moved 300 feet
up the stretch toward the first turn.
This change In the location of the win,
ming post and the present situation OF
the grandstand will give the Fair Grounds
track one of the longest home stretches
In the country. The track has been wild
ened. and the homestretch measures S,
feet between the fences. On the back
stretch the track is 70 feet wide.