view raw text
HAWTHOENF, FJEATUKES The Chicago Jockey Club will run off the remainder of its term, twenty-four days, at its own track at Hawthorne, which has not been used since the fire which swept away the grandstand, paddock and betting ring on Decoration Day; Owing to rain and tho scarcity of labor, woik n the new buildings is not so far advanced as it was expected it would bo at this time, but tho clm will live up to its announcement and re-open tomorrow. All it promises is "rough, dry and clean" accommodations to its patrons, feeling that the devotees of the sport, appreciating the circumstances, will net mind "roughing it" for a fortnight or so. In lien of shingles the roof of tho grandstand will be covered with oiled tarpaulin, making it waterproof. As the betting ring and cafe are under the grandstand they are thoroughly protected fro rain.. Tho floor of tho betting ring, for the tim being, will bo of hard rolled cinders. Eventually it will be of cement. Tho secretary and his staff will do their work in an improvised office for the first two weeks, or until a paddock is built. A corral may take the place of a saddling paddock, or tho owners and trainers may bo permitted to saddle anywhere they please within sound of tho bell and buglo. Speaking of this primitive arrangement, a director of the club said the other day: "The enclosed paddock as wo know it now did not come into use until comparatively a few years ago. Among the improvements made at Saratoga for this year is a paddock that cost 0,000, but most of the owners prefer to saddle their horses under the trees, as they have been doing since the Saratoga track was first opened." Up to 1894 the horses racing at Hawthorne were for the most part saddled in the infield or at tho stables. No stringent paddock rules were enforced anywhere before that time. During the first week of the fortnights session, which will open Monday, three stakes will be run; ono of them tho Northern Handicap atono and one-quarter miles, the richest and most important event in the Hawthorne season. Tho Northern closed with oighty-seven entries and all tho high-class handicap horses that raced in the west this season as well as many in tho east aro eligible to start. Among the possible starters are Argrogor, Aladdin, McChosuoy, John Bright, Six Shooter, Scarlet Lily and Flyiog Torpedo. John A. Drake may send back Wyeth for tho race, and R. A. Smith may take a shy at it with Articulate. The stake with ten starters will have a gross value of ,240. The Speculation Handicap at one mile and a sixteenth will be tho opening feature. The Midsummer Sellipg Stakes for two-year-olds will be run on Thursday, and tho Northern on Saturday.
