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FINE WINTER OUTLOOK Prospects Extremely Bright for Great Meeting at Jefferson. Christmas Handicap Will Be Next Important Fixture to Be Run in the South. NEW ORLEANS, La., Dec. 1. If the attendance of the first three days of the Jefferson Park racing is a criterion as to what shall follow, it setms a safe prediction that the association will enjoy i s most successful and profitable meeting in history, and that all previous records will fall by the wayside. New Orleans patrons of the sport have responded nobly, thus far for the winter season. True, weather conditions have been ideal, but the management has provided a splendid article of sport that has served as a magnet. Today witnessed the arrival of the Bowie contingent, several hundred additional tourists appearing on the scene. Horses, too, are expected the latter part of the week. That the late comers will aid materially in helping to make the meeting a banner one seems assured. Horsemen have shown a splendid sanV.e of co-operation thus far with the management in the filling of various races. The handicap division, however, have yet to appear in numbers, but when it is considered that many of the best horses that were transferred here from Kentucky for winter campaigns were only unloaded a week ago, they could hardly be expected to appear in any of the feature numbers carded. FEATURES FOR THE WEEK. Pacing secretary Campbell has put his best effort forward during the present week to keep the sport up to the high standard of the first three days. Daily there will be a handicap, each carrying an added value of ,000. The features provided competition not only for those horses of the sprint division, but thoroughbreds that are seen to better advantage -when going a mile or over. The other races are pitched on rather high lines, with a view of bringing together horses of quality. It is an accepted fact among horsemen who know local conditions from years of experience, that racing will be first class. What appears the only possible chance to prevent the Jefferson meeting from proving the best ever held is adverse weather conditions. In previous years Jefferson Park was always handicapped by inclement conditions. In several instances it was necessary to postpone a day or two of the sport. However, all of the difficulty that arose I from adverse weather has been remedied. A largo electric pump with which the management is confident it will be able to carry off an overflow of water from surrounding territory has been installed. CHRISTMAS HANDICAP NEXT. The next fixture of impotrance to be run at the present meeting will be the Christmas Handicap, all ages, at one mile. This event has always produced a first-class contest and indications are that this year will prove no exception to the past rule. Pacing secretary Campbell is arranging to obtain the nominations of the best horses to be campaigned here for this feature. It is due to the fact that because of the I lateness of the horsemen coming from Maryland and other points that the closing of the handicap has been held open in order to give them ample opportunity to name those of the thoroughbreds. Stake blanks, too, are soon to be distributed for the Louisiana Derby, to be run March 17, 1925. With the exception of the New Orleans Handicap, 5,000 added, this will be the most valuable fixture run at the local course. As will be recalled, the Derby, 7,500 added, started Mrs. P. M. Hoots wonderful colt, Black Gold, on his sensational string of Derby victories. There are numerous crack thoroughbreds now quartered here which are eligible for the race. Among the number is Master Charlie, the crack colt which is owned by Wm. Daniel, the Chicago sportsman. FAIR GROUNDS IMPRO VE3IENTS. Over at the Fair Grounds, where the scene will be transferred on January 1, everything is hustle and bustle. The Business Mens Pacing Association directorate is making every attempt to complete the extensive improvements in time for the opening. Contracts have been let for the installation of a steam heating system, as well as the inclosure of the front of the grandstand with glass. These improvements, it is held, aro certain to prove one of the finest moves that could possibly be thought of, in that the patrons will be protected from the knife-cutting cold winds from the North during the season. Edward G. Schleider, E. P.. Bradley and general manager John Dymond, Jr., moving Continued on tvclfUi Base.J FINE WINTER OUTLOOK Continued from first page. spirits in the installation or the improAe-ments, have issued instructions to the contractors that nothing shall be left undone by which the historic old course over which Morello, as a two-year-old, began his career as a "baby" racer and ended in his phenomenal victory in the Futurity Stake of 1S92.
