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BEGINNING THE LAST WEEK : New Orleans Racing Season to Close Next Saturday. Prospect for a" Good Track Today Many Departures for Hot Springs Taking Place. NEW ORLEANS. La., March 0. Present indications are that the going will border on fast at Jefferson Park tomorrow, despite the drenching the course received yesterday. It was heavv this morning, and what few horses worked were" forced to go around the "dogs," but afternoon found a large force of workmen at work on it, and thev lalU.red until sundown. Most or the gallops this morning took nbice at the Fair Grounds but that trk too was soft. This week winds up the winter racing season in the Crescent City, and. despite adverse weather and track conditions the greater part of the time. It has been a banner season of the sport here. The surprise of-the winter is the present Jefferson Park meeting, which during its four days thus far has been of the highest local class from everv angle Ihe attendance has been good, the volume of speculation heavy and better horses have been seen in action than contested at the December meeting at the Shrewsbury plant. Jefferson Park is running at a disadvantage as far as out of town patronage is concerned, as many of the visitors have gone to Hot Springs to await the opening of the Oaklawn Park track next Saturday. However, a. number remained over, but thev are leaving on every train, and today witnessed the heaviest departures since, the Fair Grounds nieetiut -r.nded,wniere -niiiIe1ityfIlorseKs thus far only two horse special trains have gone to Hot Springs. Several more are scheduled to leave within the next few days, but the Jefferson Park track wil." not suffer from a lack of thoroughbreds, as there will be plenty here until the meeting closes next Saturday. The worst drawback to the Jefferson meeting to date has been the lack of good riding, as most of the best riders have gone to the Vanor City. The arrival of the Preece brothers, Godfrey, Jr.. and Queiitin. helped things out considerably and the former has been riding in sensational stvle. He is at present lending the jockeys at the meeting and there is hardly a race but what finds him with a mount. The younger riders are having a big inning, due to so many of the older heads having gone to Hot Springs and several of them have shown much promise, since they have had a chance to show their ability. Jockey Mack Garner has received instructions from Jack Baker to report to him at Lexington. Ky., April 1. Garner is under contract to 11. L. Baker, whose horses are trained by his brother. He will go to Hot Springs Wednesday and ride there until the latter part of the month. Wash Norvell, who will serve as clerk of the scales at Oaklawn Park, will remain here until Thursday. He is employed in an official capacity at Jefferson Park. Unlike last fall, racing secretary Joe McLennan is having no trouble about filling long route races. Twenty-three of the forty-two remaining races are scheduled to be run at one mile or farther. Thus far the longer distance races have drawn more horses than the sprints.
