The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-26
A DAY WITH THE FLYERS.
Two thousand People Witness The
Races at ThundeTbOIt Track.

NoLSDAaHe the quarter l1A4e heSLS ana
Miss Modred the Nile Dash-A Bril-.
liant Programme Of Events.
A heavy cloud hung over the
sky yesterday morning and made
things look little blue for rae
ing. But at noon Old Sol began to
shine with all his splendor and in the
afternoon a flood Of sunshine greeted the
race horses at the Thunderbolt Driv-
ing Park. With track that looked like
a billiard table. the horses made splendid
time, and the big crowd Witnessed some
stirring finishes.
Two thousand people saw the races.
The grand stand was filed to its capacity.
and in the crowd were many ladies'. who
seemed 10 take a lively interest in the
sport. The inner field was lined with car
riages and buggies filed with ladies and
gentlemen, and among them many beau
tiful turnouts. The judges were: NIessrs.
Charles Younglove, W. II. Connerat
James Mehrtens and J. +. Doyle. Mr..
James Furlong oficiated as starter, and
his work in the box was much appreciated.
Promptly al O'Clock the big bell in the
judges stand was sounded and the horses
put in an appearance. Two of the en-
tries failed to show up-Dick Egan and
Moreno. The horses were on the grounds,
but their owners We're afraid to start
them. Manager Doyle was determined
that this should not break up the harness
event and he allowed the other two en-
,1F B.,
required three or more to enter.
Oakland Prince, with Ed r Birch up,
was first to pass the judges stand and
get his position. George w. followed,
with "Gipsey" Haight in the sulky. In
assigning positions George W. was given
the pole and Oakland Prince the outside.
Little time was lost in scoring. Starter
Furlong got them off on the first score
down to the wire. When the word was
given Oakland Prince was first to reach
the turn. He was going a lively clip when
he passed the quarter in 81 seconds.
Haight was on his wheel with George W,
when they passed the half the positions
We're unchanged. Down the back stretch
the pair were neck and neck. AS they
moved into the homestretch Oakland
Prince had the best of it by a half length,
and he maintained the same position when
he passed under the wire the winner Of the
heat in 2:35.
The second heat was another victory for
Oakland, and many of his friends and
admirers We're surprised to see the big
gelding repeat so gamely. The time of
the heat was 2:37
The third heat was the battle royal of
the harness race. As the horses scored
down for the word each driver had a
look OF determination to win, and the
pace for the first quarter was killing for
Oakland. When they passed the stand
on the first half the bay gelding was In
front, but Haisht was sending George w.
for all he was worth Around the turn 10
the three-quartor pole they moved like
double team. Now both drivers be-
gan to call on their horses for more speed.
Birch began to shake his horse and he
responded nobly and kept the lead until
the pair entered the homestretch for a
finish This was whore Haight got in his
work. The crowd began to yen, oak
land has itr' "Pa Birch is
a winner" When the pair reached
/ the distance stand il looked
as if Oakland had it. He was coming
strong and Birch looked as if he was con
fdent of victory. He tried his best. but
George w, the speedy son of Mambrino,
under the mastery guidance of Haight
beat him to the wire by a neck 1t was
most exciting heat and the time 2:30.
is the fastest made on the track by trot-
ter The fourth and fifth heats were both
won by George W, and he was declared
winner Of the race. Time $50 and 2:351a.
The running events were called between
the heats of the harness race and they
We're highly enjoyd Every one of them
was hotly contested and the finishes were
close.
In the fve-eghths heat race five thor
oughbreds lined up for the word from
Starter FuTlong at the fiVe-eighths pole
Senator Haskell, Climax Second, Gazelle
Bassianton and Slip Up. Little time was
lost at the post. The horses got away
10 a perfect start. Senator Haskell i'm
mediately moved to the front and begun
to set the pace for the party. When thew
passed the stand the first furlong they
We're all punched together, with Haskell
in front and Climax Second at his neck.
The horses made a very pretty picture as
they ran down the back stretch. The race
to the wire was very exciting The five
runners We're scarcely a half length apart
at the finish. Haskell finished first, eli
max Second second, Slip Up third. GazeUe
fourth and Bassianton fifth.
The second heat of this race was an
other good exhibition and was greatly
enjoyed by the large audience Haskell
was too much for the other entries and
won after a driving finish He was piloted
by Jockey Joe Jones, who rode with ex-
cellent judgment. The time of the heats
was liz and los. James Reedy's two
year-old Gazelle pulled up very lame after
the contest. Mr. Reedy has the sympathy
OF the horsemen here, with whom the lit
tie mare has made quite a good impress
sion
The quarter heat race was next on the
programme and it proved TO be a very
hotly contested short race. Every horse
10 tI--
rode with good deal of vigor -Four
horses responded to the bell call. Cane
brake Queen, Sir Lester and Emma
their journey after a few breaks CAM
brake had the best of 1t when the fac
fell. and he went away at a killing pacs
under the whip. When the bunch en-
tered the stretch all of the cocks were
using the whalebone freely. The race IN
the wire was hotly contested. and Cane
brake finished first Queen second. tho
other entries We're all punched together