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TWO CLOSE FINISHES AT JUAREZ. Juarez, Mex., December 9. The fourth race on the program at the Juarez track was again featured by an exciting finish this afternoon, when the first six horses in the five-eighths sprint finished in a close hunch. The winner was Little Birdie, which had followed close behind the pace of Stella Graine and caught her in the final strides, to win by only a head. Stella Graine had a half-length to spare over Doctor Mack II., which had met with interference in the stretch. Aside from the close contest, the feature of the afternoon was the surprisingly easy victory of Lytle over Sir Richard in the second race, at five-eighths. Lytle began quickly and spread-eagled his opponents, winning by four lengths, while Thirst easily beat Sir Richard, which was slow in getting away and was dull of speed. Crown Prince also led all the way in the fifth race, but was hard pressed at the finish to outstay Tony McCafferty, which he beat by three -parts of a length, with Kestrel a length away. Colle beat Freeman by only a head in the final race of the day. Joe Blair, the early pacemaker, tired and fell out of competition. Freeman closed np fast in the stretch and would have won in a few more strides. Ralph S. was a good third. Sallie ODay proved best in the first race. In closest pursuit all the way, she got up in the last strides to overhaul Tempy Duncan. Virgiedot had an easy time taking the third race from the odds-on choice Type. The latter, under punishment all the way, could never get to the leader. The crowds here are larger despite the unusual cold wave that has swept over this section so enrly iu the winter and the betting Is dally increasing in the mutuel machines. The racing to date has been most formful. Secretary Shelleys handicapping has received great praise from the horsemen and barkers, the finishes usually being heads and necks apart. -V
