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I i ; i . " ! , , 1 : : FAIRMOUNT PROSPECTS GOOD Improved Conditions and Smaller Tax for Meeting to Begin There September 2. COLLINSVILLE, 111., Aug. 11. Fairmount Park is practically ready for the thirty-one day meeting which opens on September 2 and continues until October 7. General manager Robert S. Eddy, Jr., has been on the grounds for more than two weeks directing the workmen and gardeners in getting the grounds in shape for the next meeting. Horsemen who already have arrived on the scene say the track was never better. Track superintendent Placide Frigerio has been in charge of this work for the last three weeks. Manager Eddy announced that the purses for the Fairmount meeting will, be 00, 00, 00, 00 and 00. The opening handicap on Saturday, September 2, will be for three-year-olds and over, at six furlongs. The Labor Day Handicap" will be for three-year-olds and over at one mile. The value will be 00. Richard Leigh, who is. acting as racing secretary, has distributed the first issue of the condition books, seven races being billed daily with the exception of September 2, 4 and 9, when eight will be run. There will be a special train of horses leaving Thistle Down for the opening and with applications coming from Chicago, Dade Park and Coney Island, general manager Eddy is satisfied that he will have plenty of horses. The management is most optimistic about the opening this season, believing that business conditions in and around St. Louis have improved to such an extent that the meeting will be a success. John T. Ireland will serve as presiding steward along with Julius Reeder, who has been presiding steward in Canada all season, representing the Quebec Racing Association. Reeder will arrive September 15. Richard Leigh is racing secretary and presiding judge. He is assisted by Charles Campau and Cliff Abbo. G. "Buddy" Wing-field will be the starter, with William Snyder as his assistant. This will be the first meeting at Fair-mount under the reduced daily taxes recently granted by the Illinois legislature. Formerly Fairmount paid ,500 a day, but under the new law the tax has been reduced to ,000. Joseph Cattarinich, associated with Mr. Eddy, in the Fairmount venture, believes that with this daily saving Fairmount should show a profit for the first season since they took charge. A special drive is to be made for clubhouse members by having a separate enclosure within the clubhouse, conducted by socially prominent persons of St. Louis and vicinity. John T. Ireland, who is acting as presiding steward at Thistle Down, will arrive here two days before the meeting. Dick Leigh and his son, Rollie, are already on the scene. Charlie Campau will arrive Wednesday following the opening, as will Buddy Wing-field. Bill Snyder will start the fields on the first two days. .
