Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-30
UAzEI DE11,s OPENING.
Successful inauguration of George
q. L0bdeIlss Driving Park.

q. LObdel1's DrtV1uE EArks
Hazel Dell Driving Park, near the ex-
tensive works of the Lobdell Car Wheel
Company, on the South Side, and owned
by George G.. Lobdell, was thrown open
to the public, Thursday Afternoon. when
over 1900 people witnessed several very
interesting races. The track was in first
class condition, and all the appointments
were excellent. Mr.. Lobdell established
this driving park for the benefit of owners
OF fast horses in this city and vicinity,
who by the payment of an annual SUBJ
scription of $40 are given the privileges
of a first-class track, without the cost and
drawbacks of a professional trotting
course.
Thursday afternoons contests drew
many people, who went over in hacks,
carriages and the cars Of the W. Il N.
railroad, which ran from Third street
bridge at regular intervals. The grand
stand, well-built structure commanding
full view of the entire track, and to
which IN admission fee of % cents wns
charged, was filed TO its utmost capacity.
William W. Lobdell acted as marshal
with Dennis Bulger ms aid. The judges
were Caleb Churchman of this city,
Rufus Dean of West Chester and George
Morrison of New Castle. Summaries of
all the races are as follows
Wagon race, best two in three
A. Springer, gr & Friday.
Edward Mitchell, br & George. ..........1 s. l
Gpurge Sellers, b 4 Honest Mac,.........4 3dr
Il. q. Lobdell, br Delaware Knox. 4 DIR
II. Morrison, s Christians. ..........,..2
George came In iirst but WIS set back for
Time, sOi1, s.O3a1, soy.
3-minute class, best two in three
Or. j. X. Brown, b Frank. ...,............5 3
| George W. Jones, e Buster. ..............4
| Robert Morrison, or m Anna J..........."..1 I
John V. Craven, b m Helen. .
George q. Lobdell, br Prince. .............6dr
| n. H. Brown, bl M Ida. ......................3
Time, $50, 2bih.
2.45 class, best two in three:
| J. b. Luton, m Newark Girl. ...........I ]
| Iliett Graham, b Harry D..............,..2 2
Time, Assn, ab,h.
$50 class, best two in three:
| II. Is. Merritt, b M Kate. ............,......1 /
/ +. Pagan, br m Salie ID. ................... 2
| l.. w. Stidham, bl q Don Cameron. ........1 4
| w s. Simmons, hg BILLY Morgan ......r..3 3
Time, 2.53h 2i9&.
/ George q Lobdell, bl Black Frank. mig 9
/ z. Wallace, Z Bay Billy; 3
| j. A. Wilson, b g, Delaware BOy.............1 I
| Time, 2dO%, 25lA.
| The races were all well contested,
though the last was attended by an I'M
pleasant incident. The horse Bay Billy
was driven by Frank Elkinton, who re-
fused TO obey the judges and when re-
monstrated with grew insolent and left
the sulkey. The owner, in order that the
race could proceed, drove the first heat,
but, being entirely unprepnred and I'M
accustomed to the work, ii proved
such n severe task that he only drove
the one. Elllinton drove the second
heat, and the word ego" was given when
Bay Billy was far ahead, thus treating
him as though he was ont of the race
Delaware Boy soon caught up with him,
and Elkinton ran his horse the last half
mile in order to keep ahead, and
also struck Delaware Boy with his
whip when the latter came up with him.
The heat and the race We're given TO
Delaware Boy, and Elkinton was roundly
hooted and missed as he sprang from the
sullxy and ran from the grounds. The
uction of the driver of Bay Billy was very
emphatically condemned by his owner
Elkinton's statement is that he did not
strike Delaware Boy, was not expelled
from the track and did not sneak away
I from the park.
The other races were conducted in the
most satisfactory manner, and excepting
the 2,45 class, were hotly contested.
Between heats Lucifcr, owned by DIR.
Harvey of Chester, and three of his colts,
trotted exhibition heats.
The colts went around in 2.50J, 2.44s
and 2.37a respectively, but Lucifei
broke badly on the first half, and trotted
his heat in 2.4233, the first half mile
occupying 1.25. The first colt, John, was
afterwards driven to beat 2.4S, but only
succeeded in making the mile in 2.51it
james G. McCumb's stallion Zodiar was
exhibited ON the grounds, but did moi
trot.
A good breeze prevailed Ill afternoon
making it very pleasant despite the dust
Among those present were many we'll
known horsemen of Chester and Della
ware counties and Philadelphia.