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HEAVILY BACKED HOCNIR IS BEATEN Plunge Hade on Old Gelding, but He Finishes Third in Hain Race at Oriental Park. HAVANA, Cuba, December 5. A mile and a sixteenth handicap was offered as the principal race at Oriental Park today. Post time found W. V. Thraves Hocnir backed into favoritism, a heavy plunge on the old gelding sending his price down from 2 to 1 to 3 to 5. This, however, did not prevent tlie earlier favorite, Coral, from opening up a safe lead and showing the way. throughout to win by four lengths, while Berlin gamely hung on and outstayed Hocnir for second place. Lariat caused some excitement while going to the post in tills race, bolting at tlie entrance to the paddock and falling over the fence. He appeared none the worse for his mishap. Clear and warm weather brought out a large crowd for an off day. The track, under the influence of the bright sunshine, dried up quickly and should be at its best for tomorrows racing. The Diaz stable scored "another victory when Ravensea beat Steve in a thrilling finish in the opening dash, with the latter almost getting up when the Diaz colt tired after assuming a big lead entering the stretch. Tlie liest finisli of tlie; day came in the running of the fiftli when Raladin. Dick Benson, Great Gill, and Rill Hunley fought it out through the homestretch and passed the judges in a compact bunch. Charles A. Stoneham and John J. MeGraw, who control the New York Giants, and are the new owners of the Cuba-American Jockey Club, sailed for the States this morning. They left for New York to attend the meeting of the directors of the ball club. They will return here in a couple of weeks. Jockey C. Watson got in from Maryland this morning. Owing to tlie length of the prosram tomorrow the first race will Ik, called at 2 p. m. Horses still continue to arrive, The most recent newcomers are Thorn Bloom. Major Fisk, property of D. S. Fountain; Lady Ivan, Fountain Fay, owned by the .11. E. Crist stables. Frank Kearns, owned by I. A. F. Dayton, arrived Friday morning from Rowio. A. Collins, has arranged to ride for the stables of G. O. Wright and J. J. Keyes. Mae Murray came out of tlie last race with a suspicious tendon which this morning caused her to limp badl. in consequence, of which she,. wn-excused from starting in the fiftli race. While being schooled at tlie barrier tlie Armonia Stables mare Violet slipped and threw out her stifle. The mare is believed to be in foal to Sir Wellons, formerly owned by Senor A. II. Diaz.
