view raw text
STABLES GATHERING AT PIMLICO. Baltimore. Md., April 25. Many changes and improvements have been made at the old Pimlico race course since last season and turfmen will be agreeably surprised when they reach the grounds for the opening on Saturday next. A new clubhouse for members of the Maryland .Tockcv Club has been opened. Since the last meeting at the track the association has taken control of the building at the first turn, formerly known as the Pimlico Country Club, which will be for the exclusive use of the members. The interior of the house has been completely renovated from eclhir to roof, while the outside has been made quite attractive to the eye by the liberal use of paint. A first-class caterer has been installed, and every effort will be made to maintain a standard of excellence in all departments equal to that of the most up-to-date country club or high-class race track clubhouse. A new walk has been laid from the steps through the paddock to the stand, which will make the new club convenient. Its wide verandas offer a splendid vantage point from which to see the racing especially the contests through the tield. The house will be open to all those holding member or club badges. Other improvements include a pavement from the main entrance to the street car line, which will be much appreciated. The stables on the backstretch have been painted a dark green, and the whole "roup of eight or ten buildings will be liberally decorated with Ihuis during the racing hours. The Teen of the shrubbery on the bank across the track from the stand is lcciuning to show and with a few daws of warm weather before the opening, the old course will present an attractive appearance to visitors. For more than a furlong, commencing at the turn into the backstretch, the track has been widened r fifteen feet, giving more room at the live and live :ind a half furlongs starting jwints and making a mtraighter run for races out of the three-quarter mile chute. . Among the recent arrivals at the track are The Welkin and Bcrgoo. two likely steeplechasers belonging to Henry Craven. Tim Welkin was a top-uoicher last year, although she was purchased by lier present owner for a small sum at a sale in the Pimlico paddock last spring. By winning the Pimlico Fall Handicap last October she brought about the suspension of jockey Davidson, who had ridden her poorlv in a previous race. The suspension still holds against the rider, and Craven will have to look elsewhere for a pilot this year. Other recent arrivals include Steve Lawler, with General MacGregor, Louise Welles. German Silver and Perry Johnson, all the property of S. F. Hyman and five horses belonging to J. E. Davis, in charge of trainer Bradv. The Davis horses are all jumpers except one. which was sent along to run in the Hat races for non-professional riders. The probable star of the Cassatt horses, now quartered here, is Mollie Pitcher, a smart-looking chestnut fillv bv Star Shoot Semper Paratus. She is a half-sister to The Minute Man. a crack of a few vears ago. Mollie Pitcher Is eligible for the Pimlico Nursery. These horses are not especially well advanced, as training facilities at the farm were not of the best. More candidates for the Nursery came with the arrival of the Wahlen string from the farm at Mid-dleburgh. .Mrs. Walden has three eligibles lor the Clabfugb and two for the Nursery. They are all home-bred, being by Chilton, out of mares that have produced former winners for the stable. Miss Thelnia Liltletield, the young daughter of Fred Llt-tlelield. also lias n caudhlate for each event in Merry Chilton, out of Merriness. i
