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NEW BELMONT COURSE READY Large Crowd Is Expected at Next Fridays Opening Madeover Track in Fine Condi ¬ tion Huge Stand Ready for Public NEW YORK N Y May 23 Belmont Park long ago earned the designation of he peoples race course as well as being often styled the New ¬ market of America Of these the former has al ¬ ways been the more pleasing to the management of the Westchesler Racing Association which from the inauguration of the track has endeavored to make it attractive to the general public even in the days when the stand was wellnigh destroyed by fire fireIt It is tliis thought which will suggest itself to nil who view the splendid plant now that it is receiving the finishing touches of a campaign of Improvement enlargement and beautification at a cost of 000000 Well as they planned the physi ¬ cal realization of their scheme surpasses the ex ¬ pectation of the management Among those who inspected Rclmont Park on Tuesday last when Major Belmont was giving a last personal survey to the work was Richard T Wilson who has been superintending extensive improvements of his own beautiful plant at Saratoga Mr Wilson voiced the general sentiment of all who have seen the newly constructed stand and remodeled course when he said inspiringThe that its beauty and scope was inspiring The fact that the public without special charge will have access to the former clubhouse with its restaurant and other privileges and to every por ¬ tion of the superb grandstand now one splendid sweep of steel and concrete nearly a quarter of a mile in length with the exception of two reserva ¬ tions in the front of the easterly end of the struc true as well as to the magnificent new paddock xvi tli its collection of rare tes and shrubberv will HOOCH tnale the belief that those in charge are sin ¬ cere in Jbcir endeavor to make this course a place of recreation for the pcaple as well as a testing ground for the thoroughbred thoroughbredWhile While a portion of the extreme eastern end of the stand has been set aside for the Turf and Field C lub and a section adjoining it has been reserved ii N ii special inclosiire by the West Chester Associa ¬ tion to which entrance may be obtained on pay llm T cxlra clla e that part of the stand immediately i bick of these reservations and afford ng an equally good view of the track and the de ¬ lightful countryside will be accessible to the gen ¬ eral public The same is true of the lawn in front of these sections which terminates some distance from the track This area which includes the finishing line is covered with bluestone and is tributary to the great stretch of sward which litietches like a velvet carpet of green to the west a delight and relief to the eye and harmonizing perfctly with the delicate cornsilk green which li grandstand has been painted Thus fIOm first to last the comfort and welfare of the public Jias been the dominant consideration considerationTASTE TASTE AND CONVENIENCE ABOUT TRACK TRACKGood Good taste has been displayed in the treatment of the plant throughout The iron fences defining the boundaries of the track and stand reservations iir painted white There will be no hedges to obstruct the view The fronts of the boxes are of ornamental iron with the initial B in a heavr wrought scroll The arches at the rear of the Ktniid a number of which will IKJ used for the ac ¬ commodation of the public in their Joiirneyin to and from the paddock are lofty They are con Ntriiptc1 of matched brick admitting an abundance off light and air to the ground area There areaThere will be two number boards on which the jockeys and post numbers will be displayed one at the finishing line and tho other in front of the old clubhouse The numbers of the winner anc placed horses at the conclusion of each race will lie telephoned promptly so that all on the grounds may have the news of the finish at the earliest possible moment momentThirtysix Thirtysix horse 1x xcs make up the paddock but It Is not likely that these will be used much ex ¬ cept in bad weather as tjie animals will have ac ¬ cess to the area shaded by many of the finest old trees in the country It is expected that the piddock will lw a favorite rendezvous for the pub ¬ lic between tho races and while the thoroughbreds ire being cooled out after the contests The horses will enter and leave the course over the turf at the eastern end of the stand and there will be ample spare to view thorn as they pass passThere There is a special inclosure in the upper and easterly end of the stand back of the turf and field reservation for owners and trainers From this the horses will bo in view from the moment they leave the paddock until they return The press gallery which is spacious is immediately be ¬ hind the finishing line There will be ample ac ¬ commodations for the working members at the desks which are placed therein thereinCOURSE COURSE AND JUMPS IN FINE CONDITION CONDITIONThe The track proper and Hie steeplechase course arc in excellent condition reflecting credit on super ¬ intendent Pels The run in for the steeplechase is as smooth and well kept as the putting green of n golf links The jumps which are strictly regula ¬ tion are well located and this feature of the rac ¬ ing at Belmont Park is bound to prove most at ¬ tract Ive IveIt It has been decided by the management that the entrance charges for Iwth men and women will be 385 including war tux The charge to the special inclosure in the stand will ba 385 additional for men and 110 for women both inclusive of the war tax As already stated the former clubhouse and all its privileges will be free to those paying the single entrance charge of admission admissionA A hugo Crowd is expected next Friday wiien the spring meeting will Ixgin but the real throng will be out on Decoration day when it is thought that the stiind which has a seating capacity of ITrOO will be more tlian filled filledIt It is thought that the coming meeting at Bel ¬ mont Park will surpass any in its history The interest in the thoroughbred is keener than ever this year and at Belmont Park with its famous races such as the Belmont and Withers Stakes vhich have been in existence since 1807 and 1874 respectively the best of the threeyearolds will be Been while the Suburban and Metropolitan will bring out the pick of the handicap division Another race not so old as those mentioned but which is doing a world of good for the breeding interests of the country to be run during the meeting at Belmont Park is the Coaching Club American Oaks for threeyearold fillies which replaces in character and purpose the Ladies Stakes of Jerome Park won by such celebrities as Sultana Ferida Aella Firenzo Miss Woodford Duchess Yorkville Belle Fides Blue Girl and Beldame whose 4lood is found in some of our best horses Like the Belmont Stakes this is at one mile and threeeighths and is a real test of the merits of a threeyearold threeyearoldThe The program furnished by racing secretary Ear locker in its entirety is a good one and will no doubt bring out the best horses in training during the eighteen days the meetings win endure
