Sprague's financial fortunes deteriorated following the Panic of 1873. He leased the track for races until 1881, when it was purchased at auction for $25,000 by J. B. Barnaby. Barnaby formed the Narragansett Driving Association and sold stock. The association hired Seth Griffith from Fleetwood Park Racetrack to rebuild the track and spent $5,000 on building repairs and plumbing. In 1883 the track joined the Grand Circuit. In 1884, Jay Eye See broke the mile trotting record of 2:10 at Narragansett Park. However, due to poor attendance, the association lost money and was unable to pay interest on the mortgage it took out to fund the repairs. In 1884, the track was once again put up for auction. On December 6, 1884, a syndicate led by Henry L. Fairbrother purchased the property for $30,000.
