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SOCIETY TURNS OUT IN FORCE All Boxes Filled and Grandstand Crowded at Oriental Park. Biggest Attendance of Meeting Sees Close and Interesting Racing Track Bad. Havana, Cuba, December 23. Society turned out in force at Oriental Park this afternoon, all the boxes in the spacious grandstand being occupied. One of the largest crowds of the meeting was present and, despite the poor track conditions, saw some interesting racing. The feature race, which was programmed as the fifth, furnished a sinew-straining finish in which Sloney lasted long enough to beat Early Sight a head. Sliss Fannie displayed the most early speed, but began tiring after passing the half where Billy Joe appeared to lie going strongly. The latters effort to overtake the early pacemaker so ex-hasted him that he quit badly after assuming the lead. Coming into the stretch Sloney and Early Sight were so closely aligneil that it appeared anybodys race. Sloney managed to retain his slight advantage until the winning line was passed, although Early Sight was gaining with every stride. A band of two-year-old maidens opened the days proceedings. Harlock, a first-time starter, was a warm favorite, but after a brief flash of early speed, floundered in the going and tired badly n the stretch. The winner turned up in Zu Zu, which was kept close up from the start and, after being momentarily passed in the stretch, came again and drew away into a big lead in the last eighth. Shasta tired badly after passing Zu Zu in the stretch. Backers of favorites were given a jolt in the second race when Banyancored in easy fashion over Sal Vanity, which shared favoritism with Elizabeth Lee. The latter quit badly after setting the early pace, but Sal Vanity raced forwardly all the way, but could never overtake the leader. CLOSE CONTEST IN THIRD RACE. An evenly balanced field contested the running of the third race. It was a close and hard fought struggle from start to finish. Frank Patterson was the first to show in front, followed by Brown Baby and Sluzauti. At the half Brown Baby moved to the front and led to the stretch, where Sluzanti challenged and secured a slight advantage, which he held to the end. Another thrilling finish marked the close of the fourth race when Bulger earned a nec kdecision over Parlor Boy. Rhymes failure to stay after setting a fast pace to the stretch was the biggest disappointment of the afternoon, as he was considered to be the best tiling of the day. The closing dash resulted in an easy victory for Bill Simmons; which outclassed those opposed to him. The weights for the first stake of the meeting, which will be run Tuesday, were announced today. J. J. Slurdock has been assigned top weight of 119 pounds. There are thirty-four horses eligible and a well-balanced field is assured, as several of the eligibles have shown some fast trials. W. Crump added two more winning races to his total for the year when he piloted Sluzanti and Bill Simmons to victory today.
