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CUBAN TRACK NEAR READY H. D. BROWN HAS NEW COURSE AT HAVANA PRACTICALLY COMPLETED. Track Proper Was Einished a .Weekv Ago and Finishing Touches Are Now Being: Put on Stables-Cost of Plant Already . Exceeds -.00,000. Havana, Cuba, December 10. Despite counter attractions at other points, reports from horsemen In the United States indicate that the Cuba-American Jockey Club will receive the support of prominent American stables at its new course at Marianao this winter. Local people are taking keen interest in the new enterprise. Everyone in Havana is talking of the coming winter meeting and on Sundays immense crowds visit the course to inspect the work done. Already the natives are studying up the form of the thoroughbreds that are coming over. to race. Some of the local papers have printed a list of the horses with their owners and therefore some of the Cubans are already familiar with the names of many of the thoroughbreds. Another factor tint will tend to make the meeting a success is tbo great number of tourists who are coming to Cuba this winter. The Cuban consuls in the United States have reports that the outlook is for more travel iu this direction during the whiter months than ev?r before. Times were never so prosperous in Cuba as at present and this is a factor that will play an important part in the success of the new racing venture. The banks which held, over last years sugar crop have disposed of the output at a big profit and the planters have derived the benefit of the. intlated price of sugar for this seasons crop. Then again the people "here are looking to sonwi other sport since, the jai alai games were abolished and it is but natural that racing should take the place of. this exciting pastime. The population of Havana is close to half a million and this is increased by fully 50,000 tourists during the winter season. II. I. Brown, the promoter of the club, has done -onderful work here during the past six months. Oriental Park Is. now practically completed. Work on the track proper was finished a week ago and most of the stables are now ready to bouse the thoroughbreds. The barns are constructed In a-sub stantial and sanitary manner and will be a revelation to the horsemen. The grandstand is of steel firidstly and is said by the Americans who have ln-Sirtcted it, to compare favorably with similar strue-titteJt. at Saratoga and other large race courses in the United States. In fact the general outline of the course is modeled after the Saratoga plant, which was constructed by Mr. Leavitt, noted as the best race course architect in America. By far the most important building on the grounds is the club house. It Is a handsome structure with wide verandas and comfortable lounging rooms. Over 00,000 . has been expended on the plant so far, which is evidence enough that it is first class. The management has succeeded in having attractive rates made by the railroads from Charleston and other points to Havana and arrangements have also been completed which will enable horsemen to load at Palmetto Park. Charleston, and unload at Oriental Park, Marianao. The starting gates and other paraphanalia used by starter Milton are already here and the gates will be in position next week, ready for assistant starter McGinty to school the two-year-olds on his arrival. Botli the books and mutuels will be In operation here and will be operated without restrictions of any sort. The beauty of the country and the ideal winter climate will be a positive revelation to those who will make their first visit to Cuba. Havana is now conceded to be the cleanest and healthiest city in the world. The weather is balmy and the tropical foliage lends a charm to the country which makes the place a veritable fairyland. There is something about the place that gets in ones blood and ouce a visitor to the Pearl of the Antilles means a booster ever afterward for Cuba.
