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. J ! , , ■ : . 1 , 1 [ READY FOR ACTION AT HAVANA NOW. Havana. Cuba, December 3. — The Cuban racing season will open in the proverbial blaze of glory on Thursday. December 16. and if present indications may be relied upon, will far eclipse, in every detail, the initial meeting at Oriental Park, which opened in January of the present year. The track Itself will be in much better condition. A d*ep layer of soil composed of sand and clay has been ptit on the track and harrowed and rolled until today it is as fast as any track on the American or Canadian circuits. Owners already here with more than two hundred thoroughbreds are enthusiastic in their praise of the management for the great improvements made in the track, and it is entirely safe to predict that new records will lie common occurences during the meeting. Much attention has been paid to the grounds and the grandstand. The latter has been repainted and many features added to make that structure more attractive, all having been done with a view to added comfort and convenience of the patrons. Flowers and shrubbery have been generously planted all over the grounds and by the opening day Oriental Park will be one of the most attractive race courses in the world. As was the case last winter, both styles of betting will be used. Judging from applications and information in the hand of officials of the Cuba-American Jockey Club, there will be no less than twenty bookmakers in line on one side of the spacious ring, while seventeen pari-niutuel machines of the Hachmeister type of the latest model will occupy the opposite side of the riug. The new-machines arrived several days ago and are now being installed by competent mechanics. Owner II. G. Bedwell, who was the leading purse winner here at the last meeting, has arrived with twenty-six horses. G. W. J. Bissell. the Pittsburgh millionaire manufacturer. Is here with twelve horses in charge of trainer James Gass. Both of these owners have expressed themselves as being much pleased with the improvements mad;; in the condition of the track and the convenient manner In which owners and their horses are being transp.irted to Havana from the states. Other owners, who are here with their horses, include: J. O. Burttscliell. L. D. Gentry. W. C. Weant. W. A. Carter, William Feuchter. Thomas Proctor. G. Foley. J. M. Stowe. W. R. Padgett. G. M. Ridge. W. C. Westmoreland. Thomas Cheek. J. J. Lindsay, G. II. Keene. Lrgan Denny. T. J. Carroll, James Coffee. Frank Taylor, J. S. Owenby. W. Bernie. W. B. Mitchell, R. P.. Stelle, George Burke. John OBrien, A. L. Taylor. W. F. Taylor. Robert Powers. C. Bogan. J. McKiuney. S. J. Kellv. W. A. Smith. Thomas Irvine. T. J. Harmon, N. B. Davis, Frank Rector. H. Van Ry. J. T. Strife. A. L. Valentine, P. Stire, John Eckert anel W. Gargan. The interest being displayed on the part of the citizens of Cuba in racing is shown by the fact that already there are more than twenty thoroughbreds owned locally by Senors E. Ruiloba. L. Diaz. A. Dezama. J. Alvarez and M. Betancoitrt. Tnese gentlemen are- all prominent in the business and social life of the island.
