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MAIN HAVANA RACE TO SKILES KNOB Old Campaigner Scores Sensational Vctory Over Good Opposition in Columbia Handicap. HAVANA, Cuba, December 0. W. Feuchters old campaigner Skiles Knob furnished a big surprise in the Columbia Handicap, the main contest of the seven-race program that attracted an immense crowd to Oriental Park today. The best field that has started here during the present meeting faced the barrier in this race. The crack Kentucky three-year-old. Col. Taylor, was installed a warm favorite, with the W. V. Thraves entry. Mile. Dazie and Marse John next in demand. Col. Taylor set the pace and ran at a fast clip, but found his weight too much and tired when the two-year-old Ruby challenged in the stretch. For a moment it appeared as If the latter would win, but old Skiles Knob was not to be denied and, under a powerful finish by W. Crump, he came through the stretcli with surprising spued and, in a sensational finish, got up in the final stride. Terrible Miss was held in highest esteem in the opener, but the finish found her third to Ryrne and El Coronel. The former showed the wav throughout, but had to bo hard ridden in the stretch to withstand the powerful closing rush of El Coronel. The public did better in the second race, selecting Horace Lercli as its standard liearer, and he won, but by a small margin, being hard pressed by Steve at the end. The latter was sore going to the post, but ran well once warmed to his task and was gradually wearing the leader down. Yorkville flattered his backers in the following race by leading to the last sixteenth, where he tired and proved no match for the speedy John Jr. The fiftli race provided an interesting contest. Baby Cal running a grand race to win by a length from Crystal Day. witli Assign in the third place. W. F. Poison, the Ruffalo turfman, furnished the winner of two races at Oriental Park this afternoon when Horace Lerch leat Steve by a head in the second race and John Jr. easily disposed of the well hacked Yorkville in the third race. Keen and spirited racing was the order, several finishes being close enough to leave the winners in doubt until the official placing were displayed. The attendance reached holiday proportions and speculation was heavy. Owing to the fact that tomorrow is Maeeo day, the Cuban national day of mourning, no races will lie held at Oriental Iark and all places of amusement iu Havana will also be closed. The stewards issued a ruling which brought a five-day suspension to jockey Penalver for rough riding in both the second and third races. The horses Frank Dayton brought from Rowie include War Zone, Star Realm. Rill McCloy, Hop?, Lama and Janice Rolierts. The N. K, Real consignment consisted of Lucie May, Punctual, Mar-celle M.. Onward and a couple of yearlings. George Corey, the rider for tiiat stable, will arrive in a few days. Jeorge P. Sherman brought Mayor House, Ward, Jack Dawson and Ren Rutler. F.J. Kearns arrived with Golden King and Taraseon. II. Kennedy brought six. W. Daly landed witli two good platers. To dissolve the partnership existing lietwecn E. !. Wood and K. J. Keyes the horses Polar Cub and Sureget will be sold at auction in the paddock Sunday, December 14.
