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EASTERN RACING SCHEBULE IS COMPACT. No Intetmission in New York State from Opening Bate Until Its Close at Saratoga, New York. February 20. From the time racing begins this season in this state at Belmont Park on May 20 until the close of the Saratoga meeting August :S1 there will be racing every day. This is a cheering sign of the returning prosperity of the turf. Last year when the sport was resumed after a suspension of two years, racing went on for three days each week, except at Saratoga. It is contemplated to give a more general aspect to the sjMjrt during the coming season by holding all the meetings on the different tracks of the associations controlling them. Last, year the metropolitan season began and ended on the Belmont Park course of the Westchester Racing Association, although when the dates were given opt the Metropolitan Jockey Club was scheduled for the Jamaica truck. When the short season was well under way it was decided to transfer the Jamaica meeting to Belmont Park and racing continued there until the horses left for Saratoga. In the coming season t lie old plan of making Kmpire City the last stopping place for tin; thoroughbreds before going to the Spa will be reverted to, so that with the exception that no dates are scheduled in this district for the fall racing will be almost upon the same plane as before the sport was interrupted. The full schedule means more horses and higher class racing than that which prevailed last season. Many western owners declined to send their horses here last spring for the short season at Belmont Park and it was not until daily racing came into vogue at Saratoga that really high-class lields came out day after day. There will be no such excuse this year and bigger tields witli bigger crowds looking on appear almost certain. As a matter of fact, racing under the auspices of the Jockey Club is in full swing now and will continue to be until afler the Saratoga season, when their will be a brief lull before fall lacing begins in .Maryland. The sport is drawing so well at Charleston that the association asked and received permission from the Jockey Club to extend its present meeting to Marcli 28. Immediately the Charleston meeting ends the sport will shift to Jamestown and then to Pimlico. The Pimlico meeting ends just in time to give owners a chance to ship for the opening at Belmont Park.- Altogether the schedule for New York state contains eighty-six days this year, as against fifty-seven Inst year. A novel scheme has been evolved for the two or three days on which racing ordinarily would con llict with the international polo matches. Last vear there was no conflict, as the polo dates were arranged on ofT davs for racing. The plan hit upon is to start the racing at twelve oclock on the days of the .-polo matches. The last raee will be run at 2:::0 and a special train will he waiting to tae the racing enthusiasts to the polo matches, a short distance away. The allotment of dates leaves only Sheepshead Bay. Gravcsend and the Brighton Beach track cf the old circuit not provided for. These associations made no application for dates and at no time have they been considered in the plans for the coming season of sport. While these associations are practically out of business it is probable that all of the important stakes of both the Coney Island Jockey Club and the Brooklyn Jockey Club will be taken care of at the other meetings that have already been announced. The Brighton Beach Racing Association lias not taken any active interest iij the turf for a considerable time. The officials that were appointed for the season are practically the same as those that officiated last vear. They are: C. II. Pettiugill and K. C. Smith, judges; If. U. IToman. clerk of the scales: Al Bur-len. assistant clerk of the scales; .T. L. Hall, paddock and patrol judge; W. H. Barretto, timer, and Mars Cassidy, starter. It was originally intended that racing in New York should begin May 20. but to open at that early time would have resulted in conflict with the associations In Maryland, and the opening was therefore deferred.
