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TIJUANA TRACK AND ITS ENVIRONS. Boulevard Connects Course with San Diego New Clubhouse Nearing Completion. San Diego, Cal., December 25. A fine boulevard leads from the heart of this city to the gates of the Tijuana race track and it may well be imagined how enjoyable is the trip to the course made in this manner through the balmy air of Southern California. Unless one has visited this particular locality it is difficult to imagine the ideal climatic conditions that prevail day after day. The San Diegan will not concede that there is any climate anywhere else in the world quite the equal of his. The track lies a stones throw from the international monument set up to mark the boundary line between Mexico and the United States. Across the Tijuana river, a mile or so distant, is the Mexican town of Tijuana, with its casino, one of the most notable in Mexico, and other typical Mexican institutions, all of which excite the interest of the visitor. The track equipment is modern. The grandstand occupies an eminence, from which a perfect view of the racing is obtainable. A clubhouse, now nearing completion, will shortly be the rendezvous for many wealthy patrons of the sport. The course itself is one over which any horse should race well. Hard at the beginning of the meeting, it has since been cut up and now has such an excellent cushion that cripples find it easy to race over, as demonstrated by the recent victories of many a veteran campaigner. It is asserted that horses appear to race better at an advanced age in this part of the country than elsewhere. So far as the personnel of those taking part in the snort and its attendant features are concerned, one might well imagine himself back at Oakland in the days when racing flourished in California. In the judges stand, in the betting ring, in the paddock and, in fact, on every hand are to" be found men who played a prominent part in connection with the sport in California a decade or so ago. Judge C. H. Pettingill, who presides over the racing, was for a oeriod of years an official at Oakland. So was Bob McGibbon, who is in charge of the Tijuana betting ring. And so was his brother. Sam, who is clerk of the scales and associate judge here. John D. Millin, paddock and patrol judge, was a prominent trainer and breeder under the old regime in California. He was connected for many years with Caesar Young. Edward Jasper, the ring secretary, was formerly connected in a similar capacity with racing at Los Angeles. It is in the betting ring that faces familiar in the old days at Oakland are encountered most often. Such leaders of the ring in the old days as George Rose and AV. R. Engstrom have joined the great majority., but the old regime is worthily represented by such layers as Frank Eckert, Al Koenigsberg, John McCrane. Jack Atkin, Sam Bradley, Ed Soule. Will Hall, "Little Henry" Fieylinghausen and others. C. B. Lusk, who in the affluent period of California racing was a memlwr of the racing firm of Jones and Lusk, is among the big men of the ring at Tijuana. Another handbook man who is making a big book at Tijuana is Bill Kyne, of San Francisco. He is described as a nervy operator, but lias nothing in this respect on Al Koenigsberg, who is credited with being the leading winner among the layers here. Ed Soule, who has put in an appearance here, cn-joved a profitable season in the east, where he cleaned up something like 0,000. He maintained a fine home at Oakland and tarried there for some time upon his return to the coast from the east. Al Dobsou is one of the old guard who is keenly enjoying the racing here. He was under engagement to return to Havana this winter in an official capacity, but withdrew at the last moment and came west. He expects to be a factor in the formation of a racing circuit that will keep the horsemen busy in the west next summer, the plans for whicli are still in the making. Jockey Tommy McTaggart is getting into condition to ride shortly. When he reached the coast he was afflicted witli such a severe cold that lie decided not to attempt anything in the way of saddlu preparation for the time being. William A. Pinkerton. head of the famous detective bureau bearing his name, is another who thinks Tijuana has a great future as a racing center. He plans to while away a good bit of his leisure here tliis winter. James Murray, a Montana sportsman who raced Collector Jessup, when that noted horse was in his prime, has arrived to enjoy the racing for a season.
