The Washington herald., 1911-10-01

Special TO The Washington Herald
Laurel. Md, Sept 3G-AIl day yester-
day there was hurry and hustle around
the new racing plant Of the Maryland
State Fair Association, between the ar
rival of the horses from New York,
Canada. and other racing centers and
the visiting of lovers OF the thorough
breds, who have read and heard so much
OF Laurel a s a racing center.
The work was hustled along so that
the place looked like a small village
from the number of Yorkmen putting on
the finishing touches for the official
opening. which will be held tomorrow.
There is little or nothing to do now but
clear away the scaffolds and the piles
Of rubbish left by the workmen.
The space between the grand stand and
the outside fence of the track was fin
iShed up. il sloping down to the track
the overhead bridge from the main en-
trance to where the trains land was
completed, while the paddock Jockeys
room and offices have been ready for
some time past. Manager Brown and
his assistant. Joseph McLenan, the clerk
of the course. has prepared a good pro-
gramme. for the opening day. which win
not only attract good fields, but will see
the running of the Inaugural handicap,
which has $500 in added money. This
has drawn as good a field as has ever
started over any course, and the contest
will be a keen one.
Betting Ring In shape.
The spacious betting ring. which is go
feet in length, was cleaned out and the
boxes for the layers put in their place
The large blackboard at the end of II
was finished. On this the names Of
the riders in each event will he posted
previous to the running of the races
Each train from Baltimore and Washing
ton brought over hOrsemen and their
friends to look at the place. Many ex-
pressed surprise in seeing the place so
far advanced. and, as they said, had no
idea that ii was so nearly ready. Twelve
cars Of horses came in from Canada, in
Which were the horses owned by P. S. p.
Randolph. John BurcheIl. Capt. P NJ.
Walker. Sam Louis. John ]. H. Land
and a number of smaller stables. There
were three carloads from New York.
which included a number Of mixed sta
bles In this lot were the horses OF James
r. Keene. which number five.
During the morning many of the horses
at the track were galloped over the
course. This was devoted to those which
which liked the heavy going. while the
others were given their work on the roads
around the plant. These are of sandy
nature, and dry out very quickly, so that
when the track proper is toe wet to work
over they can be used
Plenty of Stable Room.
There has not been a case Of sickness
at the track. and the stables are all built
on a high elevation which makes them
dry and fit to stable in at all times and
under all weather conditions. This is one
point on which Manager Brown is par
ticularly strong. He believes in looking
after the horsemen as we'll as the public,
and in this way draws many more 10
race with him than by overlooking them.
Twelve carloads are looked for from
Toronto this morning. they having left
that place Yesterday at l o'clock. Two
more cars are to come from New York,
as we'll as those which will transport
the Hildreth horses from that city to
Laurel Three carloads are booked from
Baltimore. and these, with three or. four
from Kentucky. will include all that are
to race at the new plant. Included in the
horses now stabbed at Laurel are the
cream of the horses now being raced. The
stake entries speak for themselves. while
the handicaps and overnight events will
draw record fields.