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RUSHING WORK AT CHARLESTON. Charleston, S. C. November 7. Preparations for the coming winter race meeting of the Charleston Fair and Racing Association are well under way. General Manager Francis J. Pons has opened business offices at 22S Moating street. The business men of Charleston arc taking a lively interest in the meeling and many ,bfhchaie sulitanii;rily interested in the venture. Plansfor the1 new track call for the expendilure of 00,000, and when it is completed it will be one of the most modern and handsomest winter race courses in the country. All of the contracts for the work to be done have been awarded and. work is progressing rapidly. The track itself has already been laid out. and it has been decided to complete that part Of the work first. The stables will be simultaneously rushed along bv a large force of experienced workmen, and It is promised that they will be ready for occupancv at the close of the Norfolk meeting. With the stalls ready for occupancy and the track in a condition to make galloping possible, many of the strings now engaged at Norfolk will move over to the new track and rest their horses until racing begins here January 10. In many cases it will be a welcome respite for the horses that have been in constant training since early spring. The trainers will have an excellent opiiortunity to freshen their charges and have them fit and ready for the seventy-five days of sport here. South Carolina has the distinction of being one of the first home states of the American thoroughbred, and ever since early in the "thirties" it has plaved an important part In the industry. It was in the "thirties" that racing was conducted in Charleston over the old Washington course, and from time, to time since then there have heon meetings. The climate of the state has always attracted breeders, and at Aiken there are several farms that are show places. P. S. P. Randolph and August Belmont and the Hltchcocks, Thomas and Francis It., all maintain thoroughbred establishments in South Carolina, and there are several others of lesser importance.
