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AQUEDUCT, NOW A WELL EQUIPPED TRACK. Growth and Improvements That Havo Mado It Second Only to Belmont Park, New Yorkv November G. From what was the cheapest kind of a merry-go-round a few years ago, the Aqueduct track has been gradually develoiied into a high-class race course, which, after a few more Improvements have been made under the direction of Phillip J. Dwyer, will take rank with the Jockey Clubs famous establishments at Shcepshcad Bay, Brighton, Jamaica and Belmont Park. The Aqueduct track itself is one of the best from a racing point of view in the country. Barring Belmont Park, it has the longest homestretch on the circuit, which, according to horsemen, is a beneficial factor in the establishment of public form. Widened a bit on the turns and in the homestretch the track would be an ideal one. As it is horsemen have become so enthusiastic over it that they have patronized the stakes Hlterally, with the result that many of the best horses in training- will not Ihj retired- until the present meeting of the Queens County Jockey Club comes to an end. The building of a new 00,000 Held stand at Aqueduct -is significant. It means to all intents and purposes that the Brooklyn Jockey Club, which has operated the Gravesend track for many years and of which Mr. Dwyer is the leading spirit; Intends to make its permanent home In the course of time at Aqueduct. Two years ago Mr. Dwyer, realizing that the encroachments of the real estate people meant that Gravesend was doomed, began to look around for a new home. Several Kites oil Long Island were picked out, but before a definite selection coiild be made Mr. Dwyer stumbled upon a block of stock that gave him con-Irol of Aqueduct. With this track as an anchor to windward Mr. Dwyer continued his search for a new plant, and finally found-what be wanted in a tract of land within a short distance of Garden City, in Nassau county, not far from Belmont Park. 15ut before this arrangement could take definite shape -special legislation at Albany shut him out of the property as far as turning it into a racetrack was concerned. Then it was that Mr. Dwyer decided to go ahead with improvements at Aqueduct. There had never been a "field" at that track, and with the conclusion of the Jamaica meeting each year the one dollar patrons generally retired for the season rather than pay the three dollar tariff which prevailed exclusively at the new Dwyer track. But Mr. Dwyer, always believing in the loyal support of the masses, lost no time in providing them with splendid accommodations, which, judging from the patronage of Saturday, .will e highly appreciated. With a flue steel structure and a roomy betting enclosure, therefore, Aqueduct cannot remain stationary In the way of improvements. The old wooden grandstand and clubhouse are sure to be supplanted with spacious buildings of modern type, while many other accommodations for racegoers Avi.ll be instituted. In time the famous Brooklyn Handicap will be run over this track -when Gravesend lias" Ieeii cut lip Into building lots. The Queens County Jockey Club has lecoine a. factor at last. Associated with Mr. Dwyer, who is president, arc Treasurer A. . C- Washington, Sccretury Fred Rehberger, and Directors W. C. Courtney, Robert Furey, Richard Hyde, James Shevlln and others.
