view raw text
BRIGHT PROSPECTS AT OAKLAND. With each passing day, it becomes more and more evident that the approaching meeting of the California Jockey Club, which will open at Oakland a fortnight hence, is to be the most notable in the annals of the turf on the Pacific slope. Eastern owners who have hitherto followed the game at other winter racing centers continue to surprise turf circles by the announcement of their intention to race this winter at Oakland, says the San Francisco Chronicle of last Sunday. The conviction that has prevailed here some weeks that the coming season will be a banner one at Emeryville, seems to have communicated itself in some occult fashion to eastern racing points, with the result that conditions, from all standpoints of the sport were so promising. It is already assured that the class of horses will be higher than in many years and that there will be a notable galaxy of star jockeys to do the riding. From a speculative standpoint, the season will undoubtedly be as great a success as In other respects, reports being to the effect that in addition to a decided increase anticipated in local betting, on account of the large volume of money in circulation in San Francisco, the presence of a small army of big bettors from the east will follow the advent of several eastern stables that come here for the first time. These are busy days at the Emeryville course, in preparation for the opening. Carpenters and painters have practically completed the renovation of the. grandstand and the other buildings. Superintendent Grant, with ideas of his own as to the track, is working like a beaver to have the course in Ideal shape for opening day. The dockers who are keeping tab on the runners that are being gradually worked up to a race agree that the track la already in fair condition. The new top dressing to which the stretch was treated some weeks ago has settled down well and the track v seems jto be in better shape all over than when racing was last conducted oYeriit, ;
