The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-15
THE VERNON DRIVING PARK.

It's Lease by John E. DowlinG-The
Electric koed TO Be Running in
March.
John Z. Downing has leased the Vernon
Driving Park for term Of five years, with
the exception of the time required by the
Savannah Jockey Club for its spring and
fall meetings, at a rental of $1,000 Der year.
Mr.. Bowling intends to try and build I'D a
health horse racing sentiment in Sayan.
nah, and it was with this end in view that
be leased the track.
Workmen are busily engaged in CON-
plotting the bitches around the race course,
and it is expected that the work will be fin
ished by Jan. l. The work of dressing the
track will then be carried on, and by Feb.
/ Savannah can boast Of one of the finest
race courses in the country.
Stables are now in course of erection, and
thirty-nine will be ready for occupancy by
Saturday night. These stalls are of the
latest pattern and are built with a view to
the utmost comfort and convenience OF
stock. The roofs project seven feet, and
form q shed under which vehicles may be
placed for shelter. They are built in double
rows. and between them will be an alley ten
feet wide for the exercise of racers
Early in March Mr.. Bowling proposes to
have an eight-day meeting at the course.
and will offer purses aggregating several
thousand dollars. He expects to have some
Of the best racing blood in America present,
and the people Of Savannah can look for fine
sport.
The electric road to the park will proba-
bly, be completed about that time. All
arrangements have been made for its con-
struction, and the projectors are awaiting
the passage of the bill by the legislature
granting them charter. 1t has passed the
Senate, and will probably go through the
House during the present session. The
right of way for the road has been occurred
The road Will start from about Lincoln
street, and will run almost directly south,
parallel with the White Bluff road, for
about mile and halt, when it viii take 6
southwesterly direction and enter the park
through Cooper's pasture.
Under the terms of the lease all races
inaugurated by Mr.. Bowling are to be
under the supervision of judges appointed
by the president of the Vernon Park Asso.
citation, the judges to be selected from tht
stockholders of the association and members
of the Savannah Jockey Club The races
will be under the rules of the National
Trotting Association.
Mr.. Bowling has made application to
have the Vernon Park course admitted
to membership in the national association
the object Of which is the Improvement OF
the breed and development or horses, anC
the promotion of the interests of the Ameri-
can trotting turf; the prevention, detection
and punishment of frauds thereon, aut
uniformity IN the government of trottinf
and pacing.
The center of the new park is to be laid
out in a base ball diamond, and portion
will be set aside for the use OF gun clubs
The Georgia Hussars will have their tourna
ments in the future at Vernon park The
park will be thrown open for the inspection
of the public shortly after Christmas, and
all who wish will be allowed to have spir
over the course.
The benefits to be derived from a first
class race course are many. Horses will be
brought here weeks before a race for prep
aration, and large amount of money will
be spent as a consequence. The animal.
will have TO be fed and shod, and crowds
Of people will be attracted to the city from
nelghboring places to witness the races
A track such as the Vernon park has long
been needed in Savannah.
The Savannah Jockey Club will not have
spring nesting this season, but will in
sugurate its events early in the fall.