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LEASES LEXINGTON TRACK. AMERICAN TURF ASSOCIATION TO TAKE OVER PLANT FROM THE BROWN ESTATE. President Winn Goes to Pittsburg to Consummate the Deal George Holle Shows Up Another Speedy Two-Year-Old. New Orleans, La., February .T. All doubts as to a meeting at the Lexington track this spring seem to have been dispelled, according to tlie statement of a gentleman in close touch with the Brown interests. The American Turf Association has been offered a lease on the property in accordance with the wishes of Captain S. S. Brown. "Before Captain Browu died," said the gentleman, "lie requested his brother to let the American Turf Association have first cull on airy and all of his interests In racing property, whether it. be a lease or a sale.. Several parties have been after the plant, but remembering his brothers wish, their offers were turned down by Harry Brown. From what I understand, the meeting at Lexington this spring will be conducted by the American Turf Association. As a matter of fact, President Matt Winn left Louisville for rittsburg last night to consummate the deal. As to how long a lease Mr. Winn will be able to obtain on the plant I cannot say. It may be for one year or it may be for three years. One thing is certain, however, and that is a meeting will be held at the famous course this spring, and It will be under the auspices of the American Turf Association." George Ham, trainer for George llolle, showed up. another cracking good two-year-old at City Park today in the bay filly La Vernita, by Russell Lady Goldsmith, which won the first race. It was not so much what La Vernita beat, but it was the way she did It. It begins to be apparent fo the City Part horsemen that Holle has gathered together about the best collection of two-year-olds that ever raced in the Crescent City. A few days ago lie showed up Karama In a brilliant performance and later Colloquy. La Vernita was neglected in the betting today and 7 to 1 was posted against her, a chance that the ring is likely not to take again, for she proved herself to be a filly of undoubted good class. She got away well, but at the turn out oC the baekstretch she swerved almost to the outside fence. Obert managed to get her straightened and she ran past the two or three in front of lie-as though they were tied. Turning into the homestretch she ran out again. Oliert had to ston riding to straighten her out. At the last sixteenth post he had her going again and she finished with a tremendous rush. The race would have been little other than an exereise gallop for her had Obert been able to have kept her straight. Chagrined over the defeat of Floral King and the deal which jockey Austin got in the Orleans Handicap on Saturday, Harry Gardner has announced that he will dispose of all his horses with the exception of Floral King. Gardner, in partnership with Henry McCoulskey, has been racing a string of twenty-odd horses at City Park. Most of theiu were ailing during the early days of the meeting, but they have rounded to again and will be disposed of at private sale. Floral King, according to Mr. Gardner, had the hair on his stifle burned on" when he was put on the inside fence. The bandages on his forelegs were also torn off in the mix-up and it was little short of a miracle that the horse came out of the race unharmed. For misbehavior at the post in the fourtli race starter Cassidy suspended jockey Wishard one week. It was only on Saturday that Wishard got through witli a weeks suspension imposed by the judges for a. weak finish. In the fourtli race also, Pickett, who rode Set Smile, got two weeks for rough riding.
