The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-22
FLYERS WITH FAST RECORDS.
SAVANNAH COMING TO THE FRONT
As 4 RACING CENTER.

~ n o-AtA-NN IN A-AAs
plenty of Horses Owned Here with
Records Close TO 2s2O-The Christ
mas Day Events at the ThunderbOIt
Track Promise some Brilliant
Racfng-The starters in the Three
Minute and FFee-fOr-AII Glasses.
The progress of the trotting horse, and
his none the less. worthy brother-the pa
cer-stIn goes uninterruptedly on toward
the ideal Of perfection as to speed confor-
nation and breeding
Ten years ago but three harness horses
on the turf had gone as fast or better
than 2:lO Maud s., 2:0SA, Jay Eye See,
2lO. and the PAGER, johnson. 2:O6A. If a
horse could go a mile around in 2:2O, it
was then considered extreme speed.
Compared with the season just closed
the contrast in the speed Of the harness
horse is indeed extraordinary. The king
pacer. Robert J, 2:0111. has gone more heats
in 2.l0 and better, than Maud S. trotted
i'm 2.S0 during her entire career on the
turf.
There are now any number of trotters
that can go a mile in 2:l2 and PAGERS that
can beat 2.10. In a comparison Of the merits
and number of this seasons great harness
performers, the PAGERS OF course, would
overshadow the trotters, but taken by
themselves the progress of the trotters has
been extremely gratifying.
The interest in harness races and harness
horses is rapidly increasing in this city,
and the speed Of our horses has greatly
improved in the last decade
When Faugha Ballagh, Robin Hood and
Belle b. were the star performers and in
the days when Pat Fallon and Claymore
were the favorite harness horses Of the
Savannah turf it was a rare treat to wit
moss a mile covered by a PAGER or trotter
in $40 over the Thunderbolt driving park
Ii is quite different now. Several horses
are owned in Savannah, that have records
close to 2.20, and there are any number of
roadsters driven every afternoon over the
Thunderbolt road, that can step in 24O
and many that can go close to 2:SO.
A harness horse that cannot work
mile close to Z:25 is not considered by
horsemen as having extreme speed. 1t IS
surprising to note the number of horses
that are being trained and worked by To-
cal trainers. Gypsey Haight has at least
fifteen under his supervision, and among
them some very promising young horses.
Mr.. Haight gave Oakland Prince a rec
ord of 220l5 and Palmetto Prince a mark
of 2:2214 this season. He also drove Mus
quetoon to his mark Of 2:25A. These
horses are all owned in Savannah, and
made good showing for themselves last
The veteran trainer. w T. Birch. has
several good young horses in his stable.
Mr.. Birch has made several good horses
and given them fast marks. Belle B., 2:29;
SUI 81 song, 2:SO; TasseoB 24o; May Flower
died and driven by Birch. Cleo, the youns
trotung mare that is entered in the three
minute class on Christmas, is the most
promising youngster in Mr.. Birch's sta
bic.
With so many horses in training fast
and slow classes can now be made with
large fields of entries, whereas a few
years ago it was difficult to have so many
candidates
In the races to take place at Thunder
bolt track Christmas and New Year days,
the most prominent of Savannah's har-
ness horses will start in the three-minute
and free-for-all classes. This will be a
splendid chance to decide who owns the
best race horse and the fastest roadster
in the city.
The entries in the three minute class
are: AL. Morgan, Ruby, Little Clay,
Cleo and St. Claire. Five of the entries
Ruby are popular road horses, and when
hooked to a Dyke sulky" they can step
down in the thirties.
Little clay is owned by Capt. Doyle,
and is full brother to Claymore, Jr. He
is very promising young PAGER and bids
ture. Cleo is the pet of the Birch
string and she is young mare of much
speed and endurance. st. Claire is I'M
knoWn-he is a green horse that is enter
ed and will be driven by j. b. Bland of
Nashville Tenn
With such a field of starters where they
are so closely matched the three minute
class promises to be a keenly fought con-
test The horse that acts well and has a
level head behind him in the sulky will
most likely prove the victor.
As the time approaches for the free for
all race the interest seems to increase.
1t will be hard to pick the winner in this
contest as all Of the entries are high
olassed race horses with splendid reputa-
tons on the turf. The entries are: Oak
land Prince, 2:20lA: Palmetto Prince,
2:2A; Nelly Alfred, 2:2714; the Charleston
entry, Honest Dick, and the Jacksonville
PAGER, Victory, 2:20 That this will prove
the greatest harness race ever seen in Sa-
Vannah few seem to doubt, and the win
ner, whichever it may be, will be looked
upon as the fastest horse in the south.
The Savannah horses are receiving care
ful preparation for this race and will be
IN splendid condition when they score
down for the free for all.
In addition to the harness races Mama
ger A. p. Doyle has several running
events scheduled for Christmas and New
Years. The entries to these events viii
not close until the day before the race.
Several stables are now at the track and
more expected before Christmas. The
latest arrival is the stable of Jack Frost,
Jr., of Columbia, s. G. He has with him
two thoroughbreds, the bay gelding
Skylock, and the bay mare, Marie. The
patrons of the Thunderbolt park are in
vted by Manager A. p. Doyle to visit the
track inspect the thoroughbreds and har-
ness horses and make themselves at home
When the horses are receiving their work.
out miles and brushes for the Christmas
and New Year races.