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GOSSIP OF THE TURF. Tho Cretcsnt City Jockey Club spent a lot of money on its track last summer. They havo extensive Biefes of wot weather down there and years ago, when the track was first opened, the races had to be postponed frequently on account of the track being mora like a canal than race course. Of late years, however, the management has improved matters greatly in this respect by constructing a system of miniature canals, which drain the race course thoroughly. LaBfc summer an immense electric pump was secured to force tho water out of the canals. Now, no matter how hard or long it rains, the little canalB are never clogged up and tho water is drained off the track as fast as it falls. Both turns on the track were aleo reconstructed lest summer. Surveyors ascertained thatlioth ends of tho track were out of plumb and General Manager Eush lest no time in having tho matter attended to. The entire conisa was also given a new top dressing of loam and both turns were raisd considerably. After tho track receives several good drenchingB and then has had a chance to settle and dry out thoroughly, horsemen believo that George Arnold will surely circle tho courso in 1 :39 or even better. Conservative judges estimate that the track, when at its beBt, will surely be a second faster than ever before. This information ought to be of some value to backers operating on the races there. In speaking of the first start of "Bud" Re-nauds filly, Eastertime, the New Orleane Picayune of Decembor 10 has this to Bay: "The conditions at the Fair Grounds yesterday were hardly of a eort to tempt out a big crowd, for a long list of scratches was an assured probabil ity and a heavy track a certainty. These drawbacks aaem to have been forgotten in the desire to eea a Mississippi bred maiden make a bid for fame on the turf. Tho magnet was "Bad" Benauds filly, Eastertime, by Emin Bey Chula, foaled at his famous bungalow . She carried the blue and .gray and the hopes and dollars of many local followers of tho eport, and the fact that she failod to make good did not discourage any one. Remand is popular, and so will his filly be, even Bbould it be that she never wins a race. This is not intended as a prediction that she will forever disappoint her owner. She is a fair looker, gets over the ground in a shifty sort of way, and is pretty certain to earn a purse before the new year rolls around. When she does Benaud will probably order a treat for all hands, down to pop corn for the ladies and some of Licalzis roast baef sandwiches for the. stable boys." , Among the stablaa that will race at Saratoga next summer is that handled by John S. Campbell. He says that several good horseB will be added to his string which will be shipped east in the Bpring in order that the horses may become acclimated. Mr. Campbell bought a St. Carlo Santa Cruz Ally recently for 00, and he is training Glondenning and several other use -ful performers. The well-known trainer bet extensively until tho present season, but he is now devoting his entire attention to the horses. Word comes from Gravosend that "PhiL" Dwyer haa eome very promising youngsters for next siason. Tho throe that have been entered extensively in stakes are Hemlock, by Albert-r-Lady Useful; Hackees ack, by Hindoo Bas-carte; and Merry Acrobat, by Handspring-Merry Thought, an. exceedingly well named colt, by the way. The Dwyer colors were not very prominent last year, but there iB no doubt that the Master of Gravesend has como to the belief that it might be very profitable to have a short string of good horses in the future so as to keep in the front rank of owners. The stakes are growing richer, and any one that is fortunate enough to show a good colt is lia ble to sell him for a drug store price. Mr. Featherstone has this to Bay about his stable of horses for the coming year, and his sentiments were indorsed by his trainer, Julius Bauer. "I think wo havo a great lot of horses in the stalls," said he, "and if we can only have a bit of good luck well book many a stake next year." JnliuB Bauer is oven more enthusiastic than his employer in his opinion about the fifty odd horses he has in chargo. Many of them have been namod, and some vary appropriately, as wiU be son by the following list, all of which are entered in the Coney Island stakeevonts: Mary 8treet, by Onondaga Bonnie Loe. Bondago, by Halma Miss Longford. Peeper, by Halma Bo Peep. Uranium, by Lamplighter Elsi9 B. Pabblo, by Pirate of Penzance Cicily. Mesmer, by Albert Hoodoo. Model Prince, by Prince of Monaco Middle -march. Ingold, by Ingoldsby Radiance. Benefit, by Fonao Clarissa. , Favorless, by Faverdale Gray Bonnet. The New Orleans Picayune of Dec. 11, has this to any of the recant victory of Lou Woods: "Tho fourth race, won by Lou" Woods, was not alone the event of the afternoon, but at public trial for tho Preliminary Derby, which is to bo run on Saturday. The ease with which the colt won haa earned for him a host of admirers, and if he will repeat yesterdays showing, the ono that boats him will win the money. Coburn , who rode him, will pilot him on Saturday. The boy seemB tolundarstand him thoroughly, and if he is boaten, it will simply bo because he is not fast enough. Yesterday he trailed in the middle of the bunch until .the homestretch was roached, then moved up and, at the end, was ranning on in a manner most impressive. The Boston was second and Serpent third. Domin-icks ride on the last named was far from bril--liant. In fact, several races which this boy haB ridden within a week will justify the com-plaintajthat have been heard." CharlesrBootsTTsays there are a number of eastern men who would like to breed mares to BrutuB, whose get havo ahown so well. Mr. Boots has leased Piccolo for breeding purposes, and he also haB mares in foal to Satsuma, Sal-vation and Tiger.
