view raw text
BRIGHTON BEACH STAKES. This week the Brighton Beach Racing Association will issue entry blanks for a number of valuable stakes to be run in 1903 and 1904. Tho events will be the Brighton Junior Stakes of 0,000, the Neptune Stakes of ,000 and the Venus Stakes of ,000, all for two-year-olds, to be run in 1903, and the Brighton Derby of 0,000, at a mile and a half; the Iroquois Stakes of 55,000, at a mile and a furlong, and the Oaks of ,000, at a mile and a sixteenth, all for three-year-olds, to be run in 1904. The value of these stakes, as given, is guaranteed and a liberal amount of money will be added to each event. Tho Derby distance has been increased from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half, and with ,0CO in added money should be one of the most valuable, as well as one of the most interesting, three-year-old events of tho eastern turf. There has been a generous increase in the value of the Venus Stakes and tho Brighton Oaks, each for fillies, exclusively. This year the Venus was worth ,000 and the Oaks ,500. Tho value of each of these events now is ,000, a substantial increase. President Engeman not only has increased the valne of his stakes, but he is going ahead with the work of improving tho course, which, with its new clubhouse and paddock all ready is well-nigh perfect. Work has been commenced on a chute at the head of the homestretch which, when completed, will give a straight run of a quarter of a mile to the judges stand. Tho value of this improvement will be appreciated by none so much as by horsemon who may have starters in the Brighton Handicap, or in other races over the handicap distance of a mile and a quarter. Heretofore the starting point for races at a mile and a quarter has beon on the turn and in the rush for a good position there has beon much crowding before the field was straightened out for the run through the stretch. When the new chute or extension to tho homestretch is opened there will bo no excuse for crowding, as there will be a straight run to the stand. Track Superintendent William Clare has a large i gang of men at work on the now chute and expects i to have it completed before the end of the month,
