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GOSSIP OF THE TUKF. A dispatch from Washington to Mondays Morning Telegraph says: "Jockey Redfern yesterday engaged with C. R. Ellison to go to New Orleans and ride his horses. This will give the Ellison stable a strong hand at the Crescent City Meeting, and effectually disposes of the report that Redfern would go to the Pacific coast this winter. Pa Redfern and Ma Redfern both have a strong penchant for New Orleans, and their inclination, no doubt, had much to do with the lads decision. It is very probable that John E. Madden will also utilize Redfernjs services at New Orleans, and between his " and Ellisons horses the lad will have plenty of mounts." "Out at the track yesterday there were quite a number of visitors, looking over the improvements and watching the early arrivals at work. The track was fnll of the sprinters and stake horses, and the rail was lined with stable boys, jockeys and the remainder of the talent. In the mornfng McChesney and Lucien Appleby were given a warming up, and the Saturdays arrivals were out to limber up after their long ride," says the New Orleans Picayune of Monday. "Secretary Sheridan Clark was also on hand having just returned from a flying trip to New York. He has been out looking up the stake entries in the east, while Harry White has been doing tho same kind of work in the west and Rufus Bush has -been looking out for local affairs. "The stakes closed on Saturday at midnight, and, of course, the entries have not all arrived as yet, but the bunch already in hand would indicate that all the stakes have filled in good shape. The demand for entry blanks was much larger this year than last and the horsemen asking for these blanks came from the class of owners who have the very best racing stock in the country. Secretary Clark was confident that there would bo much better racing than ever before, and better racing every day. The increase made in tho daily purses, none being less than 00 now, would in itself assure the best horses that will be raced in the winter. The 00 overnight handicaps are also being considerably talked about. The club will, this season, give away in purses and stakes over 5,000, and as the expenses of he track have increased an increase will be made in the admission fee. This price of admission will be double the old charge, with the exception of ladies, and there will be no advance for them. The club is of the opinion that the increase will benefit rather than injure the race meet. It will keep out an objectioaable class of people for one thing, which will mean an improvement in itself. "The work on the buildings is nearly finished. The stand is painted and turned over, and the paddock is about finished, with the exceptioa of the stalls, and they will be up in a few days. This week will be devoted to cleaning up, and by next Sunday the race course should be ready for the opening. "There were no new arrivals during the day, but word was received that Sidney Bender has a string on the road which will arrive from Washington today, and Ben Walden will also arrive with a big string, which will come direct from his farm near Baltimore. "All during the week the runners will be arriving, and by the end of the week the Chicago specials will be made up and started south.
