Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-22
OPENS SOON
FUTURITY AND OTHER BIG
STAKE RACES ON PROGRAM
100000 TO lie spent ON improvements
Hhu hlterntions-Assoc
Pays No Dividends.

fnyE No Dividends.
Ihcrc VIII be no changes In Bel
rnnut Park prior to the running OF
The autumn. meeting. which follows
saratoga. beyond placing the COURSE
In perfect condition and tho instalia-
lion OF whatever additional seating
capacity In tho field stand may be
necessary to take care OF the crowds
which Will assemble to sec the Flu
turity, Champagne. Nursery and
other established stake features, az
well as tho now Autumn Gold Cup
at two miles. decided.
Tho labor situation played n part
In tho determination OF tho manage
incnt TO postpone tho work until the
autumn. AZ the cost OF the aitcra-
lions 10 the plant VIII run into $780,
600 or moro, the racing public viii
readily understand the necessity OF
exercising care and elaboration In
carrying q work of such magnitude
When the changes in the track
proper. the clubhouse, grand stands
ana ana phhaocks shall have been com
most nagninccntly appointed racing
plant on the American continent
ihose Interested in tho rehabilitation
iierences' during the past six weeks
Numerous plans nave been submitted
Tor their consideration. and IL was
INC desire 10 do The thing right that
inquired as strongly as any other mo-
i've In the decision TO postpone the
work until no detail would be over
Major August belmont. president o,
the Westminster Racing Association.
IN discussing the situation a few days
ago. said; We found that the con-
the buildings were OF such an eiab-
crate character that we must have
more time in order to do the work
properly. Even now our plans have
not been sufficiently DEVELOPED to
warrant our beginning work. II has
been Impossible to secure labor in or
be necessary under the revised plan
before the autumn meeting.
All of the gentlemen Interested in
IN, the, , project necordinsly agreed to
autumn meeting. INV In the a meantime 1ne
we have bettcrcd our program. and
the present course will receive spe-
cial attention 70 that the horses viii
month. Additional chair6 will be
paced paced IN the held stand. and every
thinS possible for the comfor. Of
our patrons will be provided.
We believe" said Major Belmont
In concluding. that the publis will
appreciate our attitude. and realize
mat halfway improvements would
uHuct fHe circumstances De likely TO
Inconvenience them. In the. mean
Tune we are grateful! for the for
bearancc the patrons OF racing have
shown ever since the disastrous FIRE
from the effects Of which we are
only just beginning 10 really emerge
This may also he said respecting The
owners and trainers. When they as
scmblc for our spring meeting next
year they Will find much to admire"
as Belmont Park is peculiarly the
peoples own race track there Will
be great Interest in the realization
that the improvements are to be on
such large scale. Every cent OF
revenue beyond tho cost OF up-keep,
and q modest return on the invest
ment. rs put into the property or
returned to tho horsemen in tina way
or increased stakes and PURSES. The
Westchester Racing Association haa
not paid dividend In years, and II
Will be some time before one is likely
to be declared, for the CHANCES and
improvements will be of a most sub
stantial nature and naturally must
cost heap OF money. more so be-
cause OF the almost prohibition cost
OF labor and material When they
are completed. however. the metro
polls OF the United States will have
a racing plant Of which it may well
be nrOud -