The San Francisco call., 1908-08-09
Emeryyille Racetrack
Being Improved
Changes in GrandStand, Pad
dock and Betting Ring
Are Under Way

OAKLAND, Aug S.-The little town
Of Emeryville is again showing signs of
life, and it is a mighty poor shack that
is not getting a new shingle or two, or
lick of paint. All indications point to
a record breaking racing season. and
the natives want to be prepared for the
influx OF visitors. AT the track itself
superintendent Grant has a large force
OF men working on the extension of the
grandstand and betting ring, and even
at this early stage of the operations the
racetrack does not look like home any
more TO the regulars. Superintendent
Grant escorted The Calls representative
on tour of inspection Friday and sep
arated himself from much interesting
information. Grant stated that when
the betting ring has been extended
there will be accomm notation for at least
75 books and that the addition to the
grandstand will hold all the people that
viii want to be seated during the run
ming OF the races. The back of the bet
ting ring is being torn down and the
roof is being extended across the drive
way which formerly led past the pad
dock and new road will be built
lower down. This improvement will
add 35 feet to the depth of the ring.
At the paddock end both the ring and
feet, and to allow this 1t has been
necessary to move the toilet and offices
to position below the bank beyond
the driveway alongside the plank walk
leading TO the Southern Pacific depot.
The 65 feet of the building which has
to be removed has been separated
from the main structure and is at pres
ent being placed on rollers. on which
ii will be pulled into the lower ground.
The cement frontage which formerly
extended only the length of the stand
and terminated at the lawn alongside
the paddock will be continued clear to
the entrance to the paddock and to this
end the lawn, which was usually
crowded with ladies on big days, has
hPpn dug and aYHaW1fn6 fO a1lnU n
the concrete being placed.
The paddock has been considerably
altered, and, as now constructed, it will
be easy for the bettors to pick out any
horse as soon as it enters the gate. The
stalls which formerly lined the side
next to the track have been removed
and new stalls built at the end. There
are is such stalls, each bearing a num-
Der and every horse will be visible at a
casual glance. 1t was formerly neces-
sary TO walk to the extreme end of the
paddock and make a complete circuit
in order to see all the horses, so the
man in a hurry. just before the race,
will be satisfied with the new arrange
ment. This is one Of Grants own ideas
and will be appreciated by the talent
when the season opens.
On line with the end of the grand
stand the new building, which will
house the officers Of the Jockey club,
is being constructed. This structure is
about 60 feet square, and, when fin
ished, will be an ornament to the track.
The entrance viii face the east drive
way and in the front part Secretary
Treat viii be housed. It is expected
that the alterations will be completed
IN about six weeks.
In the course of a conversation Grant
showed that he is not in the business
merely for money alone. Besides being
a lover of the running game, the track
manager is also a devoted follower of
the trotters and PAGERS. On his own
initiative he put crew to work on the
track putting 1t in shape for the har-
ness horses, and with the two davs'
work which has been done on II the
track looks to be in splendid shape.