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MAKING READY AT SARATOGA Some Facts Concerning Americas Most Famous and Popular Racing- Grounds. BY C. J. FITZ GERALD. SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y., July 22. "With president Richard T. "Wilson on the ground and exercising a personal supervision over the final touches which are being given the plant of the Saratoga Association for the Improvement of the Breed of Horses preparatory to the opening of the gates on Tuesday, August 1, the good people of this city are making ready for the entertainment of the thousands of visitors from all parts cf the United States and Canada who annually find enjoyment in the racing and health in the salubrious waters for which this region is famous. Racing has been a feature of the life at Saratoga even since the early sixties, when visitors came from as far distant as Mexico and South America, the fame of the waters here being known in every part of the western hemisphere. Canadians came to Saratoga in those early days in considerable numbers also. They brought with them horses that, in many instances, were capable of holding their own with the best of this country. Professor Andrew Smith, Charles Boyle, "Rody" Pringle, James Dawes and John Forbes were the leaders of that day from across the border. They laid the foundation for friendships which were inherited by Joseph E. Seagram, "William Hendrie and others whose colors were conspicuous in the races decided here in August In the period immediately following tne Civil "War sportsmen from the South helped in fostering a fine racing spirit. They started their best horses here, as well as at Monmouth Park, near Long Branch, in New Jersey ; and at Jerome Park in the suburbs of New York City. The early history of the Travers Stakes, first run for in 1SG4, contains the names of such well-known Southern breeders and turfmen as R. A. Alexander, J. M. Clay, Daniel Swigert, T. G. Moore and H. P. McGrath, all of whom were fortunate enough to own animals capable of winning at a mile and three-quarters with the weights of that da in the saddle. APPEARANCE HAS CHANGED. The appearance of Saratoga, especially in the vicinity of the race course, has changed somewhat since the days when the wide-hatted Kentuckians came north with the splendid products of their breeding studs. Most of the hotels here are just as they were when the lovely women from below the Mason-Dixon line rode out daily behind the best carriage horses the home land afforded, or displayed their charms in the promenades beneath the elms, which are putting forth newer beauties with the passage of the year?. If some cf these visitors of a bygone day could return they would rub their eye.-; in amazement, so complete has the transformation in the racing property been. Nothing remains to remind the spectator of oth:r days but the substantial old stables with their slated roofs in Horse Haven. The area occupied by the race course proper is now recognizable only by the unchangeable background of mountain and sky. Art blended with nature has converted the course into a parklike domain, in the midst of which is located the track proper and the buildings necessary for the comfort of the spectators. It is only nat-jral that uudsr such auspices lacing has become not only a popular pastime but a social function us weli. The racing at Saratoga l;as always been noted for the rivalries engendered. The fact that the best of the western horses clash with the pick of the eastern division renders the enkindling of sectionalism easy. That the spirit which makes for excellence will be in evidence again next month is certain. It is good-natured as a rule and being founded on sportsmanship it is bound to work to the benefit of a splendid pastime.
