The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-04
RACING, BEGINNING TOMORROW,
AROUSES MUCH INTEREST
IN FOUR HUNDRED.

NEW YORK. Oct 3-F~u racing be-
gins tomorrow at Belmont Park, and. in
spite Of the restrictions placed upon
betting by recent legislation. good sport
Is promised. and the ATTENDANCE Of so
clety is likely to be quite as large as
in former years. for the Belmont Park
races constitute the occasion for the
first general gathering Of the fashion
able SCI IN the autumn gathering az
which experiences Of the summer are
returned, plans made fSr the winter.
and beautiful frocks and hats. the fruit
Of trips 70 Paris, are displayed 10 best
advantage. For on a fine autumn day
there IS no more charming setting for
feminine beauty and feminine raiment
than Belmont Park, with its green
lawn and its fine old trees. the foliage
OF which IS ricn IN al the variegated
but exquisitelv blended TINS OF the So
called Indian summer. Everybody with
any pretensions Of beIon ging 90 the
smart set makes a point Of going 10
the races al Belmont Park in the fan
for the purpose Of seeins; and being
seen. the principal day being Of course,
that Of the opening. The concCUrse Of
motors is very large, indeed. the auto
mobiles coming both from the city and
from all the country houses and New
York colonies on Long Island, where
open house is usually kept in connec-
ton with the races. the opening day
in particular being made the occasion
Of much hospitality
Few Four-in-hands.
One extremely picturesque feature OF
suburban racing has, however, almost
entirely disappeared. namely, the con
course Of four-in-hand equlppages.
Formerly. when the race track was az
Jerome and at Morris Parks. one Of the
gayest. most interesting spectacles was
the arrival Of the coaches. announced
by the footing Of their horns. and each
Of them freiEhted with dainJily-dressed
women and smartly attired men But
the motor has almost entirely superced-
ed the drag. and, moreover. the means
OF access 10 Belmont Park, across the
ferries. and the adjacent thOroughfa-es
are so Inconvenient that the custom OF
driving foUr-in-hand q. the track has
been almost entirely abandoned
As usual. the Inauguration OF the
races viii be preceded by many lunch
con parties al the Turf and Field Club,
- Il
who has just arrived from abroad. oc-
cupies the old 8Ianice homestead True.
the mansion has been altered almost
out Of all recognition in order TO adapt
II 10 the requirements Of suburban
club. but ii stin retains many Of the
distinctive features OF a gentIeman's
country seat. which render It very com
Portable and attractive.
In former years August Belmont has
usually given a big lance al his home
al Hampstead IN connection with the
opening of the fall racing season at the
park. But the death OF his brother
Oliver during the summer viii stand IN
the way OF anything Of the kind and fl
is p~ohatle that If any dance is given
during the next fortnight of racing at
Belmont Park Il viii take place either
at the Meadow Brook Club. or else at
the houses OF either Mrs Clarence
Mackay. or Mrs. Edwin D Morgan,
out this winter.
Hunting in Hampstead
Hunting has begun out at Hampstead,
and the Meadow Brook packs had their
first scheduled run on Thursday last.
with Samuel WileJs as master. In spite
Of the fact that the season has just
commenced, there have been already
several unishaps, notably nasty crop
Per Of Henry Fletcher Godfrey in tax
ing a fence, when his horse came down
with him. and. rolling on him. inflicted
injuries which viii keep him out or the
saddle for several weeks TO come.
Hunting is likewise in fun swing over
in New Jersey, where the veteran p.
?. Collier, IN spite OF his years, IS still
directing the operations Of the Mon
mouth county pack. taking his fences
and his bitches with a bOldness and 2