The Washington times., 1930-12-23
ST. JOHN 5
PARKOPENS
XMAS DAY
By TOM THORP

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla, Dec. 23.
This historic Southern city, with
its quaint and picturesque build
ings Of Spanish architecture, is
fast filling UP with visitors for
the opening of the Florida Jockey
Club plant at st. Johns Park,
midway between Jacksonville
and st. Augustine, for Thursday.
Each hour additional sport pa
irons arrive to add to the large
number who are already here.
Local business men are preparing
for one Of the most prosperous
seasons in the history o; the IA
nous Southern city. The hotels
are almost filled to capacity at
the present time.
Accommodations Scarce
Many late arrivals have tofour
the town to find suitable accom-
modations. However, the local
hotel men and boarding house
keepers have displayed good bust.
ness acumen by not racing their
prices. One can live in this
healthful resort at a modest price.
HOrsemen who have trained
over the st. Johns Park
course say it as safe as any
in the United States.
General Manager George Read
has accomplished much for the
betterment Of the going since
his arrival here three weeks ago.
The new top soil placed on the
racing strip last spring has been
worked into the clay by the use
Of harrowS. The combination Is
one which makes the track both
safe and fast.
Many horses which came down
to st. Johns Park with crippled
knees and ankles are galloping
soundly over the course. Horse
men are predicting some fast time
in the various races to be decided
during the 10 days of sport.
Weather Conditions Ideal
Many horsemen consider the
local weather conditions ideal for
the training Of their thorough
bredS. The mornings are warm
enough to make the steeds break
out in perSpiration without being
forced to do any extra amount Of
work.
ThOrOughbredS never per.
form at their best until they
are well warmed up. In this
respect they are like ma
chimes. The latter never reach
top speed or work at their
maximum capacity until they
become well warmed up, so
it is with horses. On cold or
windy days the latter never
show their true form.
Word has gone about the racing
world relative to the coming st.
Johns Park meeting. Hundreds Of
applications are received daily by
the Florida Jockey Club asking
for stall room. There are more
than 900 thoroughbreds of the
better class sheltered in the
stables surrounding the pictur-
eSque course.
st. Johns Park has had many
improvements since the close Of
the last spring meeting. The
grandStand and clubhouse have
been treated to coat Of paint.
Exclude Outsiders
The paddock, one of the best in
the South, has been enlarged. It
is now possible to saddle II
thoroughbredS at the same time
in the spacious new paddock in
closure. The same rules excluding
from the, paddock those without
thoroughbredS in the race will be
adhered to. The local officials
have instructed the police to keep
out all but the trainer, owner, and
| jockey Of the various contentantS.
This has proved q popular
rule with hOrSemen. 1t kept
the latter from being annoyed
for "feed box" information
while Saddling their charges.
Also, it cut down to a minimum
that last-minute rush from pad
dock to betting ring, which has
helped more to destroy public
confidence in racing than any
other thing.
Some of the best handicap stars
Of winter racing have been
named for the Christmas Day
Handicap, the opening feature.
This race will be run as the
fourth on the inaugural card.
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