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, I , 1 • ! ! » i ! 1 . 1 I 1 I , PROGRESS AT TIA JUANA WORK OF BUILDING NEW TRACK IN LOWER CALIFORNIA PROCEEDING SWIFTLY. Promoters of Enterprise Confident There Will Be N» Interference with Their Flans and Flant Wili Be Ready for New Years Day. San Franci.-co, Cal., December 20. — The question that is of most concern to western followers of tlie thoroughbred just now is whether or not tlie Tia Juana meeting will become an actuality, there being numerous reports both ways in constant circulation. That there may lie some grounds for doubt is tios-sible, but from almost authentic reports from the scene the promoters anticipate no trouble whatever of a nature arising from tlie political situation in Mexico. It will be recalled that reports in September to the effect that Carranza would interfere with racing at Jnares failed to be substantiated, as the Juarez meeting is in full swing under most agreeable circumstances, and when it comes to a "showdown" it is quite probable that all differences that may have existed lietwecu scnors Carranza and Caiitu will lie found to have been fully and amicably adjusted. Among horsemen here the main doubt seems to lie concerning the new tracks ability to draw enough horses for a hundred day meeting but there are a great many smal stables scattered about the we-t that will make tlie trip, as well as a number of more pretentious ones from points farther east. The promoters themselves, who should know pretty well what they are facing, state that they have assurance of plenty of horses for the inaugural meeting of the new course. For some weeks a big crew of men and teams has been working at top speed to get the course in shape for opening on New Years Dnv. with the result that a well-equipped plant is rapTdly assuming concrete form and nearing completion. Just how the work has progressed and what the future holds in store is told in the following story which, with illustrations appeared last Sunday in the San Diego Union- "Surrounded by the mauve hills of Old Mexico, as though nature intended the spot for the site, lies tlie magnificent new Tia Juana race course, a few miles from the thriving little .Mexican village, where, on New ears Day. thousands will assemble to witness the inauguration of a 100-days race meeting under the auspices of the Lower California Jockey Club, of which James W. Coflfroth, famous sporting man, is president. "Nowhere on the western hemisphere could have been chosen a more ideal location for the construction of a racing plant such as the Tia Juana track will be when completed. Climatic conditions are such, in tliis section, that racing can be conducted from one end of the year to the other, occasional rains being the only disadvantage — and this barely worthy of mention. With excellent railroad facilities on the Santa Fe and San Diego and South-astern Railway systems, thousands daily can be transported to the course from the centers of population on the coast and from points inland. "That the track positively will be completed and ready for racing on New Years Day is the statement of the management of the Jockev Club, which promises six races every day. excepting Mondavs. throughout the meeting. Fear of interference of any kind by the warring factions of Mexico has not stop.ped the association from spending a world of money to get the plant into shape for the opening card. Work Is being pushed as rapidlv as possible, shifts of men working day and night under the supervision of a callable body of foremen, who have promised tlie owners that the jockeys will be able to take their mounts in work-outs by December 15. "The track will lie a one-mile oval, slghtlv banked on tlie outside turns and sulfioientlv wide to allow twenty-five horses to face the starter. The top soil already has been laid, with the exception of about forty feet of the track uncovered on the stretch turn. It is the purpose of the contractors to build tlie liest and safest stretch turn of am track in the country, sliced and safety Iieing their aims. "A grandstand 300 feet long, having a seating capacity of 5.000 people, nearly is completed, about a weeks work being necessary to have it rcadv for octcupancy. Adjoining the grandstand and not more than 100 feet south, will be located the lietting ring. Here it is expected that more than twentv-five bookmakers will go on the block on opening day and that a fifteen-book ring will prevail during the meeting. The structure is built of wood and concrete and will be completed within the next ten days. Adjoining the betting shed, fifty feet smith. stands the paddock, large enough to accommodate the entries for the largest card of any day during the meet. This building also Is constructed of w« 1 and concrete and is located just a few f.-«t north of the jockeys room and the secretarys office. In all. the arrangement of buildings, off the lawn, equals any in the country, when the rapidity with which they have li: en constructed is considered. "Above the paddock and far enough awav from where the public will congregate, thereby preventing fire or interference with the horses, are the birn- Ten barns now are ready, each ham containing forty stalls, making stable room for 400 lu-ses. other barns are to be erected when necessity demands."
