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POPULAR ORESTES BEATEN Finishes Second to Deckmate in President Menocal Handicap. Loses by a Half Length in Sensational Race Double for Kay Spence. : " i .;" nAVANA. Cuba. February 1C George W. Lofts Deckmate surprised one of the largest crowds whicli has attended the races this season at Oriental Park when he captured the President Menocal Handicap at a mile and a quarter, lasting just long enough to beat the local idol. Orestes, which, coming with a sensational rush, failed by a half length to catch the winner. Deckmate was admirably ridden. Kel-say made his run at the right moment. Sasin was. two lengths away and Faux-Col was the last of the field or four. Deckmate ran the distance in 2:09. which was considered remarkable on the slow track, which was rather lumpy. The president of the Republic of Cuba was present to see the race named in his- honor decided. Mr. Loft entertained the presidential party at the clubhouse, including the American minister. Mr. W. A. Gonzales. Mr. Loft had the satisfaction of seeing his colors carried to victory in tin? most important event of the meeting, tiie richest given here, having ,000 added by the association and the net value to the winner being ,280. A sluggish beginning was responsible for the defeat of Orestes. He was lengths out of the running in the first mile and jockey Knapp could not rouse him with his whip. At the end of the bnckstretch. where Deckmate-took the lead from Faux-Col, the real race for the big prize began right there. In the stretch Orestes ran like a wild horse, shooting past Faux-Col and catching Sasin at the eighth post. Orestes gained on Deckmate with every stride, but the Loft horse lasted just long enough. Tiie crowd was stunned for the moment at the defeat of the favorite by an outsider, but broke into cheers for the winner later. The glory of Orestes was not dimmed as he carried 125 pounds, giving nineteen pounds to the winner. M. Lowensteins Cleek was an easy winner in the Bermuda Handicap, the1 secondary feature of one of the best programs provided by the Cuba -American Jockey Club tliis season. Kay Spence scored a double during the afternoon. Sentimental scampering home an easy winner in the opening dash and Woodthrush scoring a head victory over Lytle in the sixth. The second proved nothing more than an exercise gallop for James J., which outclassed those opposed to him. He won by five lengths, while Rhadames and Callaway had a tough fight for the place honors. Little Nephew proved a big disappointment in the fourth finishing unplaced. The winner turned up in Mabel Trask, which beat Fort Bliss a half length iu a driving finish.
