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AURORAS STANDING ♦ Fox River Valley Track Now Occupies Prominent Position. ■ ■ ♦ Many Improvements and Innovations Responsible for Growing Popularity of Nearby Course. » AURORA. 111., April 16.— Activity around the Exposition Park race course rapidly increases daily, as the time for the ushering in of the 1927 Illinois racing season approaches. The popular Fox River Valley course is a scene of hustle and bustle, with everyone concerned with the occasion of the return of racing here, enthusiastically engaged in their various tasks. The plant has taken on an entirely different phase, with the numerous improvements installed, and Is rapidly assuming an important place among the leading race courses of Illinois. Principal among the many expansive improvements and betterments at the course is the enlarging and complete remodeling of the former mutuel department, as a whole. Patrons of the Aurora track, having in the past been familiar with the former arrangement will find the difference most apparent, and will be enabled to appreciate the advantage of the move made by the Aurora management In altering the plans and structure of this important division of the plant In place of the former single aisle, or section, beneath the grandstand, in which the mutuel transactions took place, visitors to the course will now find a replica of that in place, or In other words that the space beneath the grandstand has been converted into two sections. The mutuel wickets of the past were moved and placed rearward from their former position sixteen feet, and the outside and rear walls excavated, permitting the building outward, and enclosing in completely of a large section there. The result of the alteration is that there is now approximately 5,000 square feet more of space in the betting inclosure. ROOM FOR LARGE CROWDS. This provides much more room for the large crowds to find their way about beneath the grandstand, making it more comfortable and adequate in every respect. Summing the matter up, the mutuel department at Aurora now is constructed and laid along the same plans as those of Chicagos newer racing establishments at Washington Park and Lincoln Fields, with the ticket sellers in the front section and the cashiers around on the other side, or rear section. There are actually twenty-three additional wickets of each kind, more than there were under the former conditions. The pretentious parking space at Exposition Park, for those who journey to the track by automobile, has been greatly improved also, the entire surface having been gravelled over solidly, making an ideal place for the racegoers to park their machines, and also make a speedy getaway in the big rush after the closing race has been held each day. The racing strip proper was not neglected in this general improving process which has been put into effect, and new soil, of the same kind and caliber as that which was used in re-installing and widening the first turn last autumn, has now been placed around the entire course, joining the late new addition at the half-mile post and continuing on around to the finish line, providing a new and different surface entirely. Clifford R. Trimble, general manager of the Aurora track, staunchly expresses his belief that Exposition Parks racing strip will rapidly develop into one of the fastest courses in America. It will further benefit from the installation of a new drainage system, another item of renovation indulged in. OPKMNG DAY PROGRAM. The prospects for an attractive opening days card next Thursday are indeed favorable. Home of the best horses at Exposition Park are among the probable nominations for the Inaugural Handicap, the feature which will be run as the fifth race. This contest is at one mile, for three-year-olds and upward, and entries close Tuesday. April II. Weights and declarations Wednesday, April 20. The probable entries follow : Sitlis Hope it»i Confidence Theo. Kay Cross l!ow Krazen Iron Mask II. Itallioa Siire li.,t Silver Sonn GtUn Mar Florence Mills Downcast Cherokee I.ee Cartoon Dr. t anl. nas Basket Picnic Oeean Current Dolly May Valovian Chi,- l.ieutenaat Hilly itaughn lis;eoii Wing IL Traveller Arabian Among todays arrivals were also Included four racers of the Wm. Daniel stable, owner of the sterling three-year-old Justice F. They arrived under the care of trainer J. ORyrne. It was first erroneously reported that Mrs. C Carrigans two-year-old Aromatic, a consistent youngster during the winter raring at Continued on twelfth o.igi-j AURORAS STANDING Continued from first page New Orleans, had passed away, having been a victim of car fever contracted while en-route from the southern city. This was a false report, as the young racer is very niurh alive in the Garrigan barn, along with his other stablemates including Silver Song, quartered at Exposition Park. Aristotle suceumbed to the fever contracted while enroute from Tijuana, as previously reported, while it is now made known that the gelding Zanzibar unfortunately net with the same fate. , *
