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| , . i ! . IMMENSE CROWD AT HAVANA r | I i * » ": rn Rotary Club Handicap Brings Out Fashionable Attendance. J Aiken Carries Off the Prize — s Llewellyn Gains Admirers for Cuban Derby. j M rr ~»_ « HAVANA, Cuba, February 26. — Delightful weather and the prospect of witnessing some capital racing were the magnet that attracted a big holiday gathering at the Oriental Park course this afternoon. Local members of the Rotary Club were out in full force to view the big stake attraction named in honor of their organization. Havana society was well represented in the grandstand, private boxes and spacious balconies of the clubhouse. The latter comprised a brilliant assemblage of men of affairs with a liberal sprinkling of handsomely gowned women. Luncheon parties prior to the race were agaia in order. The roof garden was the scene of numerous notable dinner parties, supervised by the famous caterer Hal Stevens. A conspicuous throng watched the races from the clubhouse. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Frank Steinhart. Col. Charles Hernandez, Ambassador and Mrs. Gonzales, General Enrich Crowder and the Italian Minister Count Naselli, American Consul General Carlton Hurst, Mr. and Mrs. L. Quesada, Representative G. S. Lopez, Thomas Monahan, Apbert Barreras, the governor of Havana, and H-D. Brown. Secretary Nathanson furnished a well-balanced program for the occasion. Five of the races were at a mile or over, with the Rotary Handicap of ,000 added the feature. Five of the nine overnight acceptances and Grayssian, an added starter, faced the barrier, Ararat, Last One and End Man remaining away. Mose Goldblatts Guvnor was installed an odds-on favorite and his defeat by Aiken proved quite a blow to the followers of form. However, the victory of the C. and D. Stables standard bearer was a popular one, especially among the Cubans. Guvnor was away first and outran his opponests until rounding the far turn, where Penman took him under restraint and permitted Belle of Eliza-bethtown to pass him entering the homestretch. The latter then tired and Guvnor, once more assuming the lead, appeared to have the race at bis mercy. Such was not the case, however, as Aiken, after being outrun the first half, gained ground rapidly and, coming through the stretch with a terrific rush, passed the Goldblatt racer and drew clear at the end. Col Chile was third, outgaming The Boy in the final strides. The stake had a gross value of ,040 and the winners share ,120. MACK GARNER TAKES OPENER. Mack Garner, well backed, was the best in the first race. He indulged Bengalese with the lead until straightened out in the homestretch, when he came from behind and won by three parts of a length. Rigodon made a runaway affair of the second race and won in easy fashion from Audrey A. Keene Brothers Derby eligible Llewellyn was a sparkling victor in the Mardi Gras Handicap, a dash of a mile for all ages, when he beat The Roll Call by a half length. Llewellyn was conceding ten pounds to the Tyree racer, and after racing Plus Lltra into defeat took the lead and hung on gamely at the end. Judge Pryor could not run in the going. The locally owned Johnny OConnell, with T. Burns in the saddle, beat Tawasentha by three lengths in the fifth race. The winner went to the front at the half mile post and. rounding the far turn, drew away into a commanding lead. Rome Respess, the well-known Kentucky breeder and owner, is conducting negotiations through Judge John Hachmeister for the acquisition of a good jockey to ride for him during the spring season. He tried to get Bert Kennedy, but found the price too high. His attention was then drawn to J. Chalmers, the Canadian lightweight apprentice, and it is likely that this lad. who is riding in good form here, will join the Respess stable at the conclusion of the present meeting. Charles A. Stoneham, who returned Saturday from New York, where he had gone to attend a meeting of the National League, said he was glad to exchange cold New York for Cuban sunny skies, and expects to remain for the remainder of the meeting. This was the first day of the carnival season and many tourists were among the vast throng present. Kennedy was suspended for ten days for rough riding on Belle of Elizabethtown.
