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HOT SPRINGS RACING PROGRAM SETTLED. Opening to Be at Oaklawn — Different Officials at the Two Tracks. By Douglas Hotchkiss. Hot Springs. Ark.. January 1. — Thirty days of winter and spring racing for Hot Springs, with the first period of seventeen days of racing run over the Oaklawn course, and the second period over the Essex Park course, was the elecisioll of the Business Hens League- here relative to the racing situation in Hot Springs. The races will open at Oaklawn on March 7 and will continue for thirteen days, to and including March 21. Then there will be a weeks intermission, the Essex Park track opening on March -7 ami continuing fur its quota of the thirty days of racing, or until April 14 inclusive, s-ve-n-teen elays. There had been some contention as to which of the tracks would open the engagement at this winter Spi. and the slight advantage fell to the Oaklawn course, because of the first part of the engagement being for the most part within the winter period, when the weather is doubtful, and this course be ing close to the- city. It was argued in that connection that Essex Park, five miles oi t. would be equally favored for the closing period, because- of the beautiful new highway constructed to that course and the- guaranteed spring weather that nearly always rules abeait that period of the year. Few Horses in Quarters. Winter quarters for horses in Hot Springs is mi" of the subjects uppermost with the Business Mens Li-ague. From the time the Essex Park track has been ready for racing, November 11, the gates have been open for tiie reception of any reputable stables that might care to take up whiter quarters here. Particular supervision has been given the matter of providing feed for the horses at city prices, the track being five miles from the city, but delivery being easy over the splendid highway that connects the city with the track. The Prendergast stable, from Kansas City, in the care of Arthur McKnight, is the only stable that iias as yet put into winter quarters In re. though negotiations are pending now for stable room for almost a Uundred homes, owuoj by stabl -s not desirous of racing through the mid-winter period at any of the far southern tracks. Regardless of the racing here all being under the strict supervision of the Business Mens League, there will be different officials presiding at the d:ff rent tracks during the spring engagement. It is anticipated that Joapeh Martin, who manages the Oaklawn course, will have Judge John B. Campbell back in the stand, as at the meeting last spring, and practically the same coterie of aides who served at the Oaklawn course. At the Essex Park course there will be a different line up. Manager Samuel J. Davis is very anxious to secure the services of Judge J. A. Murphy as the presiding official at Essex Park. He had some-negotiations to this end with Judge Murphy, be-fore the proposed fall meeting was called off. and these have been renewed with such fervor that all but the official announcement is made that Judge Murphy will be in the stand when the curtain is rung up again at Kss.-x Park. Same Rules at Both Tracks. Practically the s.une detail of rules governing the races will obtain at both courses. Particularly will this apply that no person other than those in good standing with the- Kentucky Kacing Commission and the Jockey Club will be pcimittid quarters on the courses. The spring meeting last rear nail no such definite and emphatic announcement in advance, perhaps because the? incident had been overlooked, anil when some came from long distances to tike part in the races, who might not have been desired, they were taken in. and while Judge Jack Campbell had his trials under such cir-cuiastances. he handled the- situation will. However, the presiding judges at the courses here will not have- this situation to contend with the coining spring, for the warning is given to all horsemen or jockeys in bad standing not to expect courtesies at tracks under the supervision of the Business Mens League here. The announcenieut of the size of the purses will come about the middle of January. The rule will be no less than .00 purses, and every days card is expected to contain one 00 and one .1917.sh00 novae, Willi a big feature at intervals. Genuine stakes will be announced for the- first elay at the opening track, for the St. Patricks Day Handicap, for the closing day at the first track; for the ope ning day at the second track, and for the last day of racing, this latter to be made perhaps the biggest purse race of the meeting, iii order to guarantee that inherent shall be- kept up to the end.
