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READY FOR THE BUGLE CALL : Long Winter Season of Racing in Cuba Begins Today. Oriental Park More Beautiful Than Ever -Heavy Track for Opening Days Sport. HAVANA, Cuba, November 24. Thanksgiving eve finds: everything spick and span anil in thorough readiness at Oriental Park for the opening tomorrow of the seventh annual winter race meeting of the Cuba-American Jockey and Auto Club. Prospects of a fast track for the inaugural days sport are not tho brightest, the rain of yesterday making the course heavy. Several hundred horses are here, with more to come at the conclusion of the Bowie meeting in Maryland. Nowhere where thoroughbred horse racing flourishes is a course to be found -which, surpasses in beauty, romantic setting and positive comfort in appointment and view the Cuba-American Jockey and Auto Clubs plant. There is not a foot of the course which is not in plain view of the stands, and every move of the horses may be easily followed as tioy swiftly race over as safe and fast a course as is found, anywhere. The first aisle of the stands is" nearly forty feet above the course. I!., D. Brown, who built the course, provided every comfort for his patrons, and it was thought when he sold the plant to Charles A. Stoneham and John J. McGraw that the last thought in appointment ;had been expressed. However, when the new management assumed control, one of the first things done was to invest a large sum in .further, improve-inents. "- Tirst, a "new paddock was built, and every detail in caring for the horses was considered by experts in the sport. To afford amusement other thait -racing, half a dozen tennis courts were laid out.. TJlBJflubhouse has been remodeled and thirty luxuriously furnished rooms, each with a shower bath, have been added. Here the tennis experts may rest from their strenuous exertions, cool out and dress for the races. , Set in the show city of the Pearl of the Antilles, the course at Mnrianao gives itself over to the tropical climate environment in which it is located. Stately royal palm trees rear their regal heights aloft, bordering a picturesque avenue from the paddock to the entrance to the course. The patrons of the course may sit on the clubhouse veranda and watch their favorites on the way to the post. "Where all is pastoral beauty now, six years ago a swamp stretched its dismal fever-breeding expanse, causing the guardians of the city of Havanas health grave concern. .This season promises to be the greatest in the history of racing in Cuba. A big influx of racegoers have arrived from the States during the past few days and there are more Americans on hand for. the opening of the meeting than ever before. The horses here this winter are of a much higher class than in former years. Heavy track conditions will keep many stables out of the going during the first few days of the meeting. Over 600 horses are now in the grounds, this being a greater number than last season. President Menocal and a number of government officials visited Oriental Park today and looked over the improvements. The club contingent this winter will be increased by the addition of many new members prominent in the social life of Havana. Among additions to the clubhouse are eighteen suites, all witli baths and appointments of the best. Charles A. Stoneham, president, and John J. McGraw, vice-president of the club, have been here a. few days. John Hachmeister, who succeeds C. J. Fitz Gerald as the presiding steward, arrived Monday morning. C. Cornehlsen, who will act as presiding judge, arrived with the contingent that came from New York this morning. James McLaughlin, another of the officials of the club is here. James Milton, who fills the position as starter and assistant manager, arrived from Oklahoma yesterday. Eighteen bookmakers will be in line and a battery of thirty-six mutuel machines will be in operation. Frank Uaccioco is again in charge of the betting ring and clubhouse. As in former years there is a lot of local interest in racing and a large crowd is expected tomorrow.
