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GREAT CROWD AT HAVANA : First Sundays Attendance of Record-Breaking Proportions. More Rain Falls and Races Are Run Over Heavy Track No Racing on Mondays. ITAYANA, Cuba, November 28. This was a gala day at Oriental Park and the nttciulaiice was oue of tin largest Hint ever visited tlie Marianao course. Tlie huge grandstand was crowded as was also the field enclosure. Havana society turned out in force. Tlie presidents box was occupied by several wem-liers of the presidents family, including .Iris mother and two children, who had as their guests a number of intimate friends. Todays races were run over a deep, heavy track. A steady downpour set in after the races yesterday and continued for several hours. Doublet II. and The Pirate were backed to the exclusion of everything else in the first race. The first mentioned never left the result in doubt, sprinting into a long lead in the first eighth and easily holding sway throughout. The Pirate ran well, but never had a chance to overtake the flying leader. A. L.. Taylors Spugs found the track to his liking in the second race and, although making a wide turn in the stretch, easily drew awny from Vic Munoz when straightened out. Aunt Deda, the favorite, appeared short after a brief display of speed.. Count Boris won tlie third race. He easily raced Dixie Flyer -into -defeat tterhelatterxilrelbi TiisaMiftaKThg effofTsand"" then assumed a safe lead to .score by a comfortable margin. Iveen disappointment was expressed over the dpfent of - Rlazeaway in the fourth, the Armonia Stnhles" color bearer being an even money favorite. He flattered his backers by leading to the stretch turn, where he tired, leaving Lady Ionia and Ke-wessa to fight it out for first place. The former held the old Oliver gelding safe in the final strides. Brother Maclean provided another upset in the following race, quitting all over in the stretcli after setting the early pace. Black Prince was returned the winner, with Buck Nail second and Sain Rose third. There will be no racing "Monday afternoon at Oriental Park, this day being observed as a day of rest by horsemen and track employes. The sport will be resumed on Tuesday, with tlie running of six races. By Tuesday tlie track may possibly be dried out considerably and after much rolling and harrowing ought to bo in pretty good condition. MAN AND BEAST THRIVE IN CUBA. That the Cuban climate is conducive to health and long life is strikingly emphasized by tlie case of Thomas Cheek, owner and trainer, who lias resided continuously near Oriental Park for the last five years. Mr. Cheek has almost reached the century murk, having been born ninety-four years ago. He has not had a sick day during his residence on the island and is just as active and spry as many men of thirty and forty. It is only natural that among the horses he has been training there should be the oldest thoroughbreds on the grounds. This horse is Snreget, gelding by Woolsthorpt Llizelle, and was bred by the late William Gerst of Nashville, Tenn. He is now thirteen years of age. Sure-get is still in training. Mr. Cheek believes the gelding still good enough to win a purse or two among the older- class of horses "and he also seems to thrive wonderfully in Cubas genial climate. In former years many horses that have passed the tenth year have been raced successfully. This year the old campaigners are showing ability to win. The eleven-year-old Presumption, which won many races in the United States for Jim MacManus, showed a clean pair of heels to the younger competitors and did the same again today. Marty Lou, the nine-year-old mare which has produced several foals, and Doctor D., eight-year-old, won respective races. Tommy Burns was not permitted to ride Donna Grafton owing to the fact that there was some misunderstanding regarding his contract and the lad will start riding shortly when the tangle is straightened out. H. L. Alvarez Cuban Derby winner Herron, which has been ailing for the last several days, is fast recovering and is expected to be back in training shortly. jockey Walter Dodd signalized his return to the saddle by winning on Spugs in the second race. Dodd formerly rode in England and was at the local track last winter, employed as assistant to i Thomas- K. Lynch, compiler of Raeing Form charts. Every day many new arrivals from the States come in and this season promises to be a banner one in the history of racing in Cuba.
