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FINE CHURCHILL DOWNS IMPROVEMENTS Grandstand to Hold 5,000 More Spectators Chute for Long- Distance Races. LOUISVILLE, Ky., Xovember 21. It has been decided to make the improvements at Churchill Downs in two sections. Work will begin on the stands, ring, stables and the like in March. A small chute will also be built at this time. After the spring meeting is over the eighth of a mile cliute will be built. The Kentucky Jockey Club last week purchased forty-seven acres of ground at the south end of the track at a cost of over ,000 per acre. This ground will be used for the chute and many new stables. The present plans call for an extension of the grandstand to -the end of the betting shed and will allow 5,000 additional seats. The mutuel pavilion will lie extended one hundred and fifty feet, in order that the cashiers may work in a line with the machines and also place them under cover. At present on rainy days the holder of a winning ticket cannot get it cashed unless he stands in the rain. Tiiis expanding of the stand and shed will make it necessary to move the clerks office and paddock almost to the north end of the inclosure. At present the forty-foot space between the stand and track fence is covered with grass. This will be taken up and replaced with concrete in the .shape of terraces, so that a full view of the track can be obtained by all. When the chute is built all races can be run over a mile and one-eighth course with but one turn. The ground between the clubhouse and .stables will be thrown open to the public as standing room on next Derby day, but later in the summer the clubhouse will be enlarged. It is estimated that the changes to be made in the spring alone will cost over 200,000. It is also believed that under the new arrangements, at. least sixty thousand people can be accommodated. Oii last Derby day over fifty thousand saw the classic run, while at least ten thousand were turned away.
