Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-06-20
SARATOGA RACE TRACK
IS GREATLY IMPROVED
Course Now Regarded aS One of
Most Beautiful in
Country.
SARATOGA SPRINGS. \. y. J,


SARATOGA SPRINGS. y. y. June
l!.--Whil. the Saratoga cours" over
which the racing tests arc held here
every August has always been RE-
gar'!cd as one OF the lovclics,t places
OF recreation in this country. visitors
at the coming meeting will lind many
improvements installed by the man
,aEcmont since last yra-
Every season since the historic
track passed into the control of R!ch-
ard Il. Wilson. Jr.. and those asso-
ciat"d with him in the Saratoga AS
ISOLATION for the Improvement Of the
Breed OF Horses, something In the
way OF bcttcrment has been under
taken until tho splendid property has
become reckoncd among the most
beautiful race tracks in any country
The setting for the plant is un-
cquallcd. nesting as it does in a
forest Of pine. elm and naplc trees
i'll the foot hills OF the Adrondacks.
| With its healing waters ana wood
land charms it is not surprising that
the region has had potent attractions
for both men and beast ever since the
day when the Indian frcQucntcd the
territory and gave fiction writer's ma
tcr!al for their most thrilling narra-
tivcs.
Perhaps the most conspicuous i'm
provcmcnt made this year IS the am
ncNing Of the property between Lin
coin and Union Avenues. bought in
1920. This VIII in the future form
an integral part OF the superb course.
permission having been secured from
the Saratoga Council for the removal
OF the trolley tracks from Lincoln
Avenue. This triangular Ifca has
been bcauti:ied beyond recognition.
Many of tho Gins and naples which
have been transplantcd are of size
and beauty.
Transportation Is Adequate.
The public Will not suffer ful lack
OF transportation. however, through
the change as the trollcys which
bring thousands from the nearby
cities and towns have been routed
through ffty-foot street on the
property Of the association ut the
west end Of the newly acquired ter
ritory. and thence along Union Ave-
nue. over It tweuty-foot strip between
III. sidewalk and the iron fence
bounding the property. y turn will
be made into East Avenue before
reaching, the apex of the tragic. thus
avoiding congestion which would
otherwise he inevitable between foot
passengers and automobiles.
While nature has been prodigal
with her gifts at this lovely spot. the
ma aE"pcnt has aided her by Install
ing lake in the iniicid opposite the
Grandstand. in which four fountains
VIII play every afternoon during the
races. This pretty body Of water
which is several hundred feet long
looks as though il had been there
forever as IL shimmcrs in the after
noon sunlight. during these br!gh,
spring like days.
The margins Of the Stccplcchasc
course al both the upper ana lower
turns have been defined by shrubs OF
arhor vitae. and the jumps them
selves have been topped and re-en-
forced in the same fashion. Visitors
TO the course Will recall the group of
splendid naples in the field opposite
the clubhouse. extending clear to
the back stretch. The upper portion
OF the inhcld formerly barren of trees
ha. now been improved through the
planting Of almost Il score OF clms
many of them "a foot. through so that
the distant mountains afford vista
OF surprising beauty. The new
planting has not intcrfcrcd with "A
view OF the course.
Hundreds of other iinc clms and
points by WadleiSh and Smythe. and
all of them are growing as though
nature had placed them in their pres
cnt abode as seedlings \ number of
the finest with the addition Of shrubs
have transformed the space between
the clubhouse and carriage stand
INTO a place of sylvan charm. The
Old wooden PLATFORM and shed where
club house patrons aliShtod from
their motor cars, have Disappeared
a neat concrete platform and side
walk leading To the club taking it's
place. An archway viii be covered
10y Il canvas awning Of blue and white
III harmony with the surroundings
Al! of the space between the club
house and Lincoln Avenue To The west
of the paddock has been art!SticaIIy
improved with shrubs and flowers in
neat beds. The iron rail which form
arly defined the boundary between the
paddock and entrance roads has been
removed.
y change which will add 10 the en-
joymcnt Of the public, comes through
the removal of the row of hydrangcas
which bordercd tho course in front of
the clubhouse and grandstand. This
space has been included in the lawn
and patrons will be benefited by the
change. which will put them a, the
track side. where they can observe
every movement OF the horses during
II race.
Track In Perfect Condition.
The track itself is in pcrfcc, CON
dition. 1t has been narrowed and
Worked Systematically by Supcrin-
tcudcnt Clare for some time and it's
surface is now AS fast as could lac
desired, while at the same time pos.
sess!ng that degree OF safety for
which IL Is known to horscmcn
lIorSchavcD and OK iahuIua. the
properties across Union Avenue. are
as neat ana inviting as any other
portion Of the course. Mr.. Clare has
the stables and kitchens white
washed and ia readiness for their oc.
cupantS The larger of tho two
buildings formerly at Lincoln and
N ks.>