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FEVERISH ACTIVITY Marks Preparations for Opening of Jefferson Park Meeting. Over 1,000 Horses Already in New Orleans Latest Arrivals and Track Gossip. NEW ORLEANS, La., Nov. 25 Horsemen at Jefferson Park were marking time Tuesday, awaiting the bugle that would inaugurate the racing season here Thursday. The secretarys office was the scene of activity and Secretary J. B. Campbell and his efficient staff of officials were feverishily employed looking over the numerous details that goes with the opening of any race meeting of considerable duration. The registration list gave evidence that over 1,000 horses are already in these parts, with a certainty that a couple of hundred more will swell the total after the close of the Bowie meeting and the late comers from Kentucky join those here. Never before has a better grade of racers been assembled. The valuable stakes and the liberal purse offerings are responsible for their advent here. "Winter racing has reached a phase where owners can ill afford to lay up in quarters, inactive during the cold months. The arrival of C. W. Hay and John T. Ireland, who will serve as stewards at the Jefferson track, completes the official staff, with the exception of Joe McLennon, who is due to arrive Monday. Mr. McLennon will be employed as handicapper and chief placing judge. Pending his arrival, J. B. Campbsll, racing secretary and steward, will officiate as chief placing judge and his place in the stewards stand will be filled by Richai d . Lee. TRACK IN FINE SHAPE. General manager Robert S. Eddy, Jr., cams in for considerable praise from the newly arriving horsemen for the state of perfection to which he has brought the Jefferson track and plant. The completion of the new bleachers in the paddock gives additional space for about 500 persons. Predictions are that every available space of ground will be needed on Thursday, for interest in the sport here was never keener, and a record attendance is certain to be on hand to view the opening. The racing will begin daily at 2 p. m., and with a schedule of twenty-five minutes, the closing race will be run by 4 :30 p. m., enabling the crowd to return from the track in ample time for their evening meal. Tuesdays trains from the east were crowded to capacity and in some instances extra equipment was necessary to accommodate the visitors. The arrivals included many notable eastern operators, who intend remaining throughout the racing season. C. H. Knebelkamp, whose horses have been here since the close of the Louisville meeting, was among the arrivals from Kentucky. Jockey W. Fronk, who will ride for M. Shapqff, was also an arrival from Lexington. J. Garrity, who will ride for "V. M. Cain, also got in at the same time. Jockey R. Zucchini, who met with quite a bit of success at Lexington, is also an arrival. Mcse Goldblatt, who will be in charge of the. training of a big band of Harry Payne "Whitney-owned horses and a formidable band of his own, canie from Cincin- Continued on eighth page. FEVERISH ACTIVITY Continued from first page. nati Tuesday. The Goldblatt establishment will be a considerable factor in the Crescent City racing this winter. Jockey Ivan Parke, who is now at his home at Delco, Idaho, will report to Goldblatt on his arrival on December 5. Starter William Hamilton, who will officiate at both tracks, was an arrival Monday morning, bringing his staff of assistants with him. Hamilton is not a newcomer to local turf enthusiasts, having served as alternate starter with William Snyder last season and has also dispatched the fields during a period of starter A. B. Dades illness. The Crescent City is at present crowded with visiting horsemen, considerably in excess of what has been here, for a Jefferson Park opening. It includes many notable sportsmen in the turf world, some here for the first time, but showing .conclusive evidence of the great interest manifested in the New Orleans racing throughout the country this year.
