New Chicago Race Course at Old Harlem Track: Early Construction, Daily Racing Form, 1932-11-08

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NEW CHICAGO RACE COURSE AT OLD HARLEM TRACK 3 EARLY CONSTRUCTION Plans Call for Expenditure of ,-500,000 for Wiodern Plant. Expect Work -to Begin in Near Future and Have Everything Finished Before May 1, 1933. Thoroughbred horse racing will be revived next summer on the site of the old Harlem race track. Itjvill, however, be a new Harlem, modern and complete in every detail, that will take its place among the front ranks of American race tracks. This was revealed yesterday after a conference between Harry A. Ash, assistant attorney-general, Edward F. Carruthers, Martin Nathanson, dean of American racing officials, and John S. Condon, Jr., whose family for many years has owned the site of the Harlem race track. Plans calling for the expenditure of ,-500,000 have been completed by architects Rissman and Hirschfield. The plans call for an early start on construction before severe weather sets in, with a definite assurance that the handsome plant will be completed in full detail by May 1 of next spring, when the 1933 racing season is inaugurated. The specifications provide for a club house of modern architecture, of fireproof construction and every modern convenience. Members may enjoy the luxury of the club house, in which will be lounges, reception rooms, dining halls and a good sized promenade with a close up view of the track. POPULAR INNOVATION. An innovation in the club house will be a bar designed in the modernistic style in anticipation of a change in the prohibition law. Facing the club house and grandstand will be terraced lawns, flowered and adorned with evergreens and other shrubbery. Patrons will be enabled to view the races from every possible angle. Wherever feasible ramps will be provided between the different levels. The plans also provide a large paddock in full view of both club house and the grandstand. Revival of historic old Harlem has been the dream for years of many Chicagoans who are interested in the sport of thoroughbred horse racing. Because of its location and accessibility it has long been considered an ideal racing spot. Twelfth Street and Desplaines Avenue street cars go direct to the course, and the Illinois Central railroad will run fast trains to the huge main entrance in twenty-five minutes. Elevated trains are but a few blocks away and fine roads lead to the course from all directions, where huge parking spaces are provided for in the plans. NO CONFLICT IN DATES. With the entrance of Harlem into the local racing field it gives Cook County four major race tracks and a half mile track, with one major track in Will County and another major track in Kane County. Under the Lager pari-mutuel bill, upheld last summer by the Illinois State Supreme Court, racing can be held from May 1 to November 1, thus precluding any possibility of a conflict in racing dates. The new Harlem plant is incorporated under the names of the Harlem Jockey Club and Harlem Racing Association. The incorporators are headed by Mr. Ash, who represents a group of prominent Chicagoans. The full list is not yet ready for publication. All the stock will be subscribed for privately, and no public offering of securities will be made. Plans also are under way for consolidation with another group of financiers headed by Edward F. Carruthers. Discussing the new Harlem track, Mr. Ash said: "Naturally our plans are to have harmonious racing conditions and at the proper time conferences will be held with racing interests in Chicago." The Harlem track, now used as a public golf course, is owned by the estate of the late John Condon. His son, John S. Condon, has consented to hold an executive position Continued on twentieth page. EARLY CONSTRUCTION Continued from first page. with the jockey club, providing Judge Na-thanson, or some one of equal prominence and reputation is to be presiding steward with full control of racing at Harlem. Judge Nathanson worked with John Condon, Sr., in the old days to make Harlem one of the greatest race tracks in America. The efforts of udge Nathanson, combined with the Condon interests, amply financed by a group of financiers, is destined to make the aew Harlem race track one of Americas greatest modern racing plants.


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1930s/drf1932110801/drf1932110801_1_3
Local Identifier: drf1932110801_1_3
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800