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j, K I NEW YORK TRACKS IN GOOD CONDITION. New York. March 24.— The Belmont Park track is in much better condition than one would suppose after nearly three years of idleness. The grandstand and field stands, the clubhouse and the executive building are in excellent shape. All the structures are built of steel and stone and have been practically impervious to the attacks of storms. It will not even be necessary to paint them. Lawns, walks and roads are in good condition, ready for a slight grooming by rakes and brooms to gather up the surface accumulations of dust, dirt and leaves. All the seats, benches and chairs are on hand, stowed away ready to be carted from their storage place on the grounds to the grandstand, clubhouse and lawns. It will not be necessary to buy a single thing to provide for the comfort of the prospective racegoers. It has been written that the various tracks hereabouts were mere ribbons of dirt, without fence, rails or posts to mark off the various courses. Inspection failed to reveal any such condition. All the rails and posts are in place and each track is as distinct as it was the last day the horses raced. When racing was discontinued and the aviators with their canvas birds of the air took possession of Belmont Park the jumps of the steeplechase were razed. These were the only things touched. The jumps, ten in all, will have to be rebuilt. About 140 horses stabled at the track all winter are now being exercised. R. T. Wilson, president of the Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses, owns the biggest string of thoroughbreds there. There were twenty-four in the lot up to a few days ago. when Tom Healey, their trainer, sent a few south to take part in the Jamestown and Pimlico meetings. Mr. Wilson, one of the few wealthy men who remained faithful tithe American turf by refusing to send horses to England and France to race during the last three years, kept in his employ all winter eighteen stable men and boys.
