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HAVANA GAINING IN POPULARITY. Havana, December 1G, Like all winter meetings, T ip one at Alinendares has now settled down and things are running much smoother than on the opening days of the meeting. Considering the class of horses, the racing has been of a high order. The secretary has been fortunate in bringing together evenly balanced Holds and a majority of them have produced exciting contests. The Cubans like a close finish. It arouses enthusiasm and thev arc becoming great rooters. Sunday is, of course, the big day, although Thursday is considered the fashionable day by the aristocrats and already the local papers have christened Thursdays society days at the race track. On these occasions the long row of private boxes are filled with family parties. These boxes extend the entire length of the grandstand and back of them runs a wide aisle which nermits those who feel inclined to promenade up and down between races. Several attractive features have been given since the opening day in the way of races for Cuban-owned horses and the club is now offering a series of races in which the horses shall be ridden by officers of the Rural Guard and officers from Camp Columbia. The first of these events will be run on Saturday and it is expected that it will arouse keen local interest. There is considerable rivalry between the Cuban and American soldiers as to who are the best riders. Three oilieers from each camp will have mounts and to the winning team will be presented a handsome silver cup besides a medal to each rider of the winning team. Hurdle races will also be featured from now on as there are sufficient jumpers on the ground to give races of this sort. There are a number of good gentlemen riders here among the Americans and Cubans, and next winter tin club proposes to build a steeplechase course in the infield and feature that sort of racing. There were several arrivals during the week, among tliem J, U. Strode. A. P. Ginter. Charles Landsberg. George S. Davis and P. Gallagher. Every lwat from the States brings In some new ones. The tourist season begins in a couple of weeks and the city council has subscribed 0,000 for the entertainment of Dhe visitors. Of this amount the Cuban Racing Association gets ,000. which will be added to the different events during the last week of the carnival season. The carnival season in Havana Is unlike that at New Orleans in that there is .1 general holiday for two weeks, and all the natives as well us the visitors turn out to enjoy themselves. There are many features connected with the Havana carnival that cannot be found even in the far South American countries. The rabbit races, the Jal Alai games, the horse races, the base -ball games, the apple rolling contests on the Prado and the concerts on the Maleeon. in which bands of over 100 nieces take part. There are also a number of great balls which are held in the immense theater in which grand opera is given. James Robertson has done well with his small stable. Johnny Pangle. however, did even better, os he won with Trey of Spades in the three races in which the colt carried his colors. After Trey of Spades last victory he disposed of him for SSOO tr a local man. Chief Hayes won two races for J. L. Adams and Momentum one. These two horses also finished Inside the money in five of their other starts. Eustacian won two races for Jack Baker and L Amour two for A. G. Mollnelli, A, Baxter has gathered in three purses, two with Colonel Blue and one with Rexall. Colonel Blue beat good opponents in Ms last start, but. unfortunately, was jumped on and cut down. French Nun. in the same stable. Is also on the shelf. Jimmy Johnsons Laughing Eyes has been returned a winner In two of her starts, and old Solon Shingle has also been returned winner" on two occasions. Besides these horses the following have also won: Water Cooler. Artful Dodger. Roseburg H., Momentum.1 Oroonoka. Rexall. Oleosa, Hawksflight. Brimmer, Griften, Washakie, Bitter Hand, Malediction. Sister Phvllis. Flarney. -"Cloisteress. George Bailey; Elsa - F.. Rose-Jwro, Carnal; Miss Topw. -Jupiter. Font. Emily Almanac, Eonlte and St. Aubjirp. " 1
