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CHARM OF OLD P1MLICO Genuine Sporting Spirit Kept Alive to This Day Despite the Far -Reaching Changes. BALTI.MOBE, Md.. April 7.— In his introduction to Frank Siltzers delightful book on Newmarket, the Karl of Durham wrote: "There is a glamour, there Is a charm about the turf iuite apart from the sordid aspects of pain or loss." This statement, that few will deny, is particularly true of Pimlico, where generations have gathered for over half a century to do homage to the King of Sports, and where the genuine sporting spirit is kept alive to this day by many of the descendants of the original founders of the Maryland Jockey Club Hut little of the physical aspects of the old Pimlico still survives however, and, with the exception of the name and the location and jwrhaps a section of the old clubhouse, members of the Congress, if any are left, which adjourned t witness the great sweepstakes between Parole. Tom Ochiltree and Ten I.roeck. would be at a loss to recognize any familiar landmarks. The primitive stabling thought good enough in years gone by to house such cracks as IVeakness. Harry Hassett. Duke of Magenta, Hanover. Tom Bowling. Vandalite, Crick-more. The Bard and other great thoroughbreds that made turf history, has been replaced with excellent accommodations for man and horse : the grandstand has ban greatly enlarged ; the clubhouses, big and lit- i j I tie. are conveniently and luxuriously ar- , ranged : and the jockey room and secretarys i office are modern and up-to-date, with a fully ec|uipi ed hospital unit for first aid. The only thing the Congressmen would regret is the passing of the bar where Paroles victory was celebrated in bumpers of champagne and where enough was consumed on this occasion to float a man o war. The most far reaching improvement over old conditions is seen in the track, which has been transformed from a stiff, holding clay, which was a morass in wet weather, to a light, soft surface that is safe and faster than ever in the hitory of Pimlico. This change has been brought about by the plentiful use of sand, which is constantly harrowed, and is especially grateful to horses with tender feet. It seems nothing short of marvelous that any horse could have gone four miles, let alone four mile heats, in such footing in old times as Glenmore and Bushwacker did in the Bowie Stakes in those days. The steeplechase course, over which Coronet. Trouble. Problem, Disturbance, Jim Mo-Gowan and Derby were wont to thrill the crowds is acknowledged to be one of the best in the country, as the turf has been carefully tended for forty years or more, and if enough jumpers are on hand for the coming spring meeting, as appears likely, some excellent sport through the field will be I witnessed. Superintendent Ryan has recently planted permaiK nt hedges at each jump, as it is increasingly difficult to get fresli brush for each meeting, and when this grows up in the next two or three year, the course will be I even more picturesque and attractive than it is at present. There are over two hundred horses now at Pimlico and every stall has been reserved for the meeting from May 2 to 14. inclusive.
