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MATERIAL OF BETTER CLASS Hileman Reports High-Grade Horses Stabled at Shreveport. Response of Owners Encouraging to Officials of Louisiana Track Meeting Will Open on October 22. SHREVEPORT, La., Oct. 15. Prospects for a big and formidable field of routers engaging in the Inaugural Handicap at the State Jockey Clubs track here on opening day, are regarded as exceedingly bright by racing secretary Hileman, who has completed a survey of the material on hand for the return of the thoroughbred sport to Shreveport along with the opening of the annual Louisiana State Fair on October 22. "We have a far better grade of horses here at present than was anticipated, as well as a greater number," said Hileman. "Judging by the material available for the coming season of twenty-five days, I look for a highly successful season." The generous response of owners of thoroughbreds which have been racing on many of the major mile tracks this year is quite encouraging to the officials of the State Jockey Club, who are doing their utmost to place racing on a plane that will have it compare favorably with the best offered at half-mile tracks. MINIMUM PURSE 00. It has been decided that the minimum claiming price will be 00, to eliminate a cheaper grade of horses from competition. While the majority of claiming events are at the minimum figure, there are others at 00 and 00 and up to ,750. The initial issue of the condition book embracing the programs for the first eight days of the season, shows three handicap races scheduled. Following the Inaugural Handicap, which is to be decided over a distance of a mile and seventy yards, is a Wednesday contest that will attract good sprinters. On the second Saturday, October 29, those partial to distance racing return to competition in a test at a mile and seventy yards. All three of the handicaps thus far scheduled are open to three-year-olds and upward, and since there is a large supply of material of these divisions, it should not prove difficult to produce worthy contests. A varied program of seven races is the offering for the initial day, beginning with an allowance race for two-year-olds designed to bring together the better class of juveniles. The distance is about five furlongs, and this is to be followed by three more dash races. The remaining contests are at a mile and seventy yards and a mile and a furlong. The deadline for nominations for the Inaugural Handicap, is Thursday, October 20. - - - .
