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HAVANAS SEVENTH SEASON . Opens at Oriental Park on Thursday, November 25. Approximately 00,000 to Be Distributed During the 100 or More Days Racing. HAVANA, Cuba, November 20. The seventh season of winter racing iiv Cuba will be inaugurated at Oriental Tark on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, nnd continue for 100 or more days. Approximately 00,000 will be distributed in stakes and purses during the course of the meeting, which will bo considerably in excess of the amount distributed in any previous year. Tlie stake program comprises twenty-one richly endowed events, ranging in value from 5,000 added down to ,000 added. These stakes closed for entries on Monday, November 15, and received a bumper crop of nominations. Tlie group of twenty-one stakes is a noteworthy one and is without doubt the largest number ever offered at any winter" race meeting. The action of the Cuban government in endowing two of the new stakes that were instituted at its behest is a happy augury "for the future of the sport 1n Cuba at least and will tend to place the sport of racing upon a still firmer basis. The announcement by general manager Frank J. Bruen that no purse would be less than 00, compared with purses of last year, and also that the daily program would contain purses of 00, 1920.sh00 and even ,200 was good news to horsemen, and will be. the means of attracting many of the better class of stables ihat heretofore have not participated in Cuban racing. Among the eight stakes that will have their Inaugural running at this meeting the .Grand Prize of Cuba, at one mile and three-sixteenths, and having an added money value of 5,000, which amount is subscribed by the Cuban government, takes precedence fit importance and value, but it does "not hold the interest for Cuban racegoers as does the Cuba Produce Stakes, also a government-endowed affair, but which, with its 0,000 added money, is not so valuable as the other event. The Cuba Produce Stakes is for two-year-olds foaled in Cuba, ami will be the first stake for Cuban-bred horses to be decided. To this fact the stake owes the wonderful interest that it has aroused among the native racegoers. OUTSTANDING CUBAN" FIXTURES: The Grand National Handicap and the Cuban Derby are the chief of the regular fixtures. The first-named retains its former added money value of- 0,000, but the latter .has been increased in value to 5,000. Not the least encouraging sign of the times is the interest tlie Cuban people are evincing in turf affairs. The first few meetings were marked by apathy on their part and the track had to depend for support largely on American patronage. Succeeding seasons,- however, have wrought a marked change: in tlie attitude of the natives toward racing and gradually they have acquired a distinct liking for- the sport, as evidenced by their attendance In greatly increased numbers. Clean sport has removed suspicion from their minds and given them the confidence that they had lacked. Other factors also had their influence in getting the people, to patronize the races. Mario G. Menocal, president of the republic, placed his stamp of approval on racing and the conduct of the same by the clubs officials by attending at frequent intervals, accompanied by his cabinet officers, and set an example that was quickly emulated by the. society element. Whereas during the first two years the .track had to depend upon American visitors for its patronage, the daily attendance last year was drawn largely from the native population, making it apparent that the old order had been reversed and that the track could be operated successfully with Cuban patronage exclusively. The big "horse specials" from Maryland and Kentucky have arrived and all the horses are in good coidition, meeting with no mishaps on their way here. Training, operations are already under way and there will be no scarcity of material to fill the program of the first week of the meeting. -The track Is in rand. condition and Oriental Park looks more beautiful than ever. If such a thing is possible, with many additional improvements completed. All the racing officials arc here or on their way. They include John Hachmeister, for years noted as the manager of the Latonia and Douglas Park tracks, who- will act as one of the stewards, together with C. II. Lansdale and F. J. Bruen. The judges will be C. Cornehlsen, M. Nathanson and E. Jasper. James Milton will again preside at the barrier, while W. W. Iiyles will be paddock judge, J. S Wallace, patrol judge, J. McLaughlin, timer, and Dr. F. W. Ashe", the veterinarian. John Hacli-melster; M. Nathanson and C. Cornehlsen will do the handicapping. Martin Nathanson will again be racing secretary.
