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INSPECT CHICAGO TRACKS Managing Heads Visit Washington Park and Lincoln Fields. Matt Winn, C. W. Hay and C. B. Head Pleased With Present Conditions More Improvements Planned. Col. M. J. Winn, accompanied by judge C. W. Hay, general manager of Washington Park Jockey Club, and C. Bruce Head, general manager of Lincoln Fields Jockey Club, inspected those plants, finding both had weathered successfully the winter season. As the sun beamed in setting a Chicago record in spring balminess the officials noted few scars left by days and nights of zero temperature, sweeping winds and a blizzard, final gesture of Old Man Winter. Tom Young, superintendent- of the tracks, guided the visitors under the grandstand, past banks of snow in the deep recesses. "Immediately after the blizzard," said Young, "the snow drifts were eight feet high in open spaces. Now the grass is growing in carpet-like formation on lawns and infield. Sturdy plants are peeping here and there." "Practically ready for the opening May 2G," said Colonel Winn, referring to Washington Park. "All is fine here and about ail that we have to do is to beautify, in addition to adding 200 stalls, which will not be enough, judging from the applications that are coming from owners of horses to be campaigned during thirty days at Washington Parks spring meeting. "We are building new stables and we have raised the original stables eighteen inches to make them waterproof. This improvement provides Washington Park with stables of near perfection. "I am surprised that the track came through the winter as it did. About all that is necessary is to turn the surface. The drainage system is such that the track can be restored in short order. Superintendent Young will have it even better than last year." Beautification will be the keynotes this year at Washington Park and Lincoln Fields, Colonel Winn said. At Washington Park this work is in progress. An" elaborate fountain is being built in the rear of the grandstand on the. plot of ground between the paddock and train entrances, fronting the administration building and restaurant, duplicating one at General Washingtons Mount Vernon home. It is circular, about the size of a circus ring, its center being square, all made of stone used originally in a building erected 150 years ago. Flowers and evergreens of the kind Martha Washington preferred at Mount Aernon will be used in this replica. In other spaces behind and in front of the grandstand will be flower beds in stone frames of rustic design. The whole is the conception of Colonel Winn, who has followed in the construction of Washington Parks club house, the colonial charm of Mount Vernon. Its unique attractiveness won nationwide recognition when Washington Park was reopened last year. "All must be 100 per cent for our May 26 inaugural and the American Derby, Saturday, June 14," said Colonel Winn. "Mr. Pea-body has been going over all of these details. It is his belief Washington Parks meeting and the approaching renewal of the American Derby in particular will be the greatest Chicago has known in racing." Colonel Winn has gone to Louisville to confer with Col. Daniel E. OSullivan, general manager of Churchill Downs, regarding the Kentucky Derby. Colonel Winn will attend the opening of the Lexington races.
