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PICTURESQUENESS OF DOWNS STILL REMAINS REMAINSAlthough Although Modern Innovations Have Been Adopted Great Deal of Original Layout Stands StandsLOUISVILLE LOUISVILLE Ky May 2 Churchill Downs has adopted practically all the inno ¬ vations which identify the modern race course such as the camera eye the electric starting gate and public address system but in its spacious stands which sprawl for more than a quarter mile much of the pictur esqueness of the track as it was originally constructed still is preserved preservedThat That section of the grandstand nearest the line of finish with its gabled roof and wrought iron fancy railings is all that re ¬ mains of the original structure but it still is there to remind oldtimers of such thor ¬ oughbred stalwarts as Aristides Baden Bad ¬ en Lord Murphy Hindoo and Apollo Derby winners during that era when the crowd viewed the race from the opposite side of the track trackWhen When Churchill Downs opened its inaugu ¬ ral meeting in 1875 the stands were situated at a point where the halfmile pole now is placed and it remained there until 1894 when it was moved to its present location In those early days the miniature clubhouse which more resembled a dwelling with a large veranda and grandstand amply met the requirements of Derby Day crowds crowdsCROWD CROWD OF 75000 IN 40 40But But the Derby was to grow in importance and with this growth more and more people began to take interest Where only a hand ¬ ful of fans saw the earliest runnings of the blue ribbon event attendance figures began to increase to 10000 persons 20000 30000 50000 and to 75000 the estimated attendance last year Tomorrow as many as 100000 may witness the spectacle which has be ¬ come the biggest single turf attraction in North America AmericaTo To keep pace with the growing demands for accommodations on Derby Day Churchill Downs has been virtually under construction for the last twenty years The grandsjrand section every year extends closer to the head of the stretch where the Derby field is dis ¬ patched and the clubhouse is reaching in the other direction Beyond the grandstand is a miniature stand and beyond that around the turn in the track is a bleacher section West of the clubhouse is a pavillion and some day all these structures may be linked into one continuous expanse of architecture around three sides of the racing strip stripTo To accommodate the thousands who an ¬ nually attend this mighty turf classic Churchill Downs has spent incalculable sums When ownership of the plant changed twenty years after it was built 100000 was spent to improve the place and since then many times that sum has gone into expan ¬ sion and improvement programs programsBut But with each building project the Downs has sought to preserve the original quaint ness and beauty of the old plant as near as was possible and much of the charm that characterized the grounds before the turn of the century still remains
