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STEADY IMPROVEMENT AT HOT SPRINGS. Purposes of the Business Mens League Fully Accomplished in Prosperitys Return. By J. L. Dempsey. Hot Springs. Ark.. March IS. — In a manner that reflects the greatest credit upon its representative baahaeaa men. who devoted money and time for a cause which has proved its worth within a few days, this city has been placed back on the racing map and now it enjoys, not only the distinction of being the leading watering place of the country, but the sporting center as well. For the next twelve days Hot Springs wiH be the only city in North America where racing is being conducted and. while the number of visitors here now breaks all previous records, it is expected that they will bt bacreased mam fold, due to the excellent manner in which the "sport of kings" has been revived la this city. To furnish the best and leanest sport possible is the motto of the Baahaeaa Mens League and everybody is pulling together to attain this end. From the mayor of the city, who started the ball rolling in favor of racing by proclaiming the opening day a half holiday, down to the humblest citizen, the meeting at Oaklawn Park is receiving staunch support and the attendance thus far has been all that could be desired. Then is no better equipped plant for racing anywhere. This was clearly demonstrated when a cold spell struck this city several days after the meeting opened. The glass front to the big grandstand was thrown la place. tli« steam ttirnd on throughout th big pavilion and the patrons were as comfortable as if it was summer weather. The steam heat feature of the grandstand made a decidedly good impression on the wealthy people who are taking the baths and they were loud in their praise of such a well appointed race track. The racing colony which held forth at New Orleans all winter moved here with few exceptions and several, who went east following the close of the racing at the Fair Orounds. hurried back here when they learned of the sin -eessful inauguration of the sport at Oaklawn Park. There are plenty of horses on hand with which to make up the daily programs and. now that the other winter race tracks have Cloned, then will be big additions to those already quartered at the local track. The owners of the good horses have been giving them a breathing spell after their long siege at New Orleans and their journey from the Creseent City to Hot Springs, but from now on judge .1. 15. Campbell, who is also acting as racing secretary, will provide plenty of races which will bring the better lass of horses to the post. The action of the management in announcing an increase in the purses so soon after the opening of the meeting, served to show the horsemen that the Baahaeaa Mens League desires that they get everything possible in this line and. as conditions warrant during the progress of the meeting, the owners will further share in the prosperity of the racing association. Judge J. it. Campbell is determined to rule with an iron hand and any offenders in any respect will meet a dire fate. It did not take him long to make his position plain and. in so doing, he let it be known that it makes no difference who the offender is. he is going to deal with him severely. Any person that does not like bis stand can depart at his own convenience. Rough riding is another thing that judge Campbell is after, and the boys who try vild west methods here are sure to find themselves spending the greater part of their time on the ground. The riding of Jockey Frank Murphy has been one of the outstanding features here, and this boy seems to have tak n a new lease on life. He cut little figure in tin- racing at New Orleans, hecaaae of the restrictions that were placed upon his accepting mounts, but state be began riding at Oaklawn Park he has been winning with regularity, riding half of the card to victory upon one occasion. He is under contract to the racing firm of Weber and Ward for this year and will report to his contract employers at the end of the local meeting. Far Away. II. S. Newmans three-year-old Abe Frank — Burnie Buntjii gelding, which was highly-regarded as a two-year-old. but which failed to show the form expected, seems to have finally come into his own. He shows improvement with each race and not only does he possess a lot of early-speed, but he hangs on unflinchingly when challenged. He was the first horse to win two races at the local meeting. The Newman stable has its chief breadwinner here. Pan Zareta. and just to show that she can run over any kind of a track, she started out at the local meeting by breaking a track record for a mile on the opening day. The talent was confused for the first few days by the meeting of horses from New Orleans. Juarez. Havana and Tijuana in the various races, hut it did not take them long to size up the ability of the racers from the different tracks. The horses which came from New Orleans naturally have the largest following, because nearly all of those in attendance at the meeting came from that city and have seen these horses racing all winter. The Jnarea contingent has hold its own in several instances, however, notably with Carrie Orate Mid OH Bob, and the chances of these two horses were highly fancied by the followers who came from the Mexican course. Several of the big hotels here which usuallv closed immediate!.; after St. Patricks Pay have announced their intention this season of keeping open until May 1. The season fur this citv generally eada between March 20 and April 1, but this year tin- racing will extend it a month longer and this will be the banner month of the entire year.
