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m POET ERIE TO BE IMPROVED. The Highland Park Racing Association, at a meeting held in Toronto last Friday, secured a renewal of its lease on the Fort Erie racetrack from Messrs. Hood and German, who own the course across the river from Buffalo, and will give the usual summer meeting at the track next year. Some time ago it was stated that the owners of the track would refuse to renew the contract with the Parmer-Hendrie syndicate when the latters lease expired, but would rent the track to another firm, who would furnish the Buffalo public with a higher class of racing than has been in vogua since the present lessees took hold of the plant. The Parmer-Hendrie syndicate, however, offered as good and better inducements than any other bidder, and secured the contract for another term of years. It is the intention of the Parmer and Hendrie company to improve the track and the racing, if possible, by increasing the purses. Before the opening meeting at the track in 1903 many changes will take place. The railroad tracks will be run up to the gates instead of away over in the corner of the course, which caused the public last yea?-i walk-nearly a quarter of a mile to reach the gra stand. The betting shed, which is located under the grandstand, will be repaved and generally overhauled, and several new stables will be erected for the accommodation of the horses. The paddock, jockey room and offices will be remodeled, and it is expected that when all of the new contemplated improvements are made on the track the course will present an altogether new appearance. At the summer meeting, which starts the latter part of June, several etake fixtures and handicaps will be decided. Prominent among these is the Canadian Derby, with ,500 added, at a mile and a quarter. There are also the Iroquois Hotel Stakes, the Niagara Stakes and a number of other events which will attract the owners. The Canadian Derby, which will be decided on the opening day of the meeting, always arouses considerable interest among the racing public. Red Robe won the event last year, and three years ago Advance Guard, Shields good performer, annexed the race. If the Kenilworth track has racing next year there will be no conflicting in the dates between the two tracks. Nothing new has developed in the Kenilworth entanglement. Until the case comes before the referee in February nothing defirute can be done, but at that time the defunct corporation will undoubtedly be dissolved and the talked of new company is expected to make a bid for the plant. With the two tracks in operation next summer, the Buffalo public should have plenty of the "sport of kings."
