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ELITE OF HAVANA Well Represented in Large Sun-clay Throng at Oriental Park. Sirocco Easily Takes Feature Race Stonewalls Downfall Hard. Blow to Admirers. HAVANA, Cuba, December 17. The spacious grandstand at Oriental Park this afternoon was crowded with the elite cf Havana and even the standing room in the clubhouse balcony was at a premium. It was an ideal day for out-door sport, with a well balanced program provided by the management and it proved too strong a magnet for lovers of the thoroughbred to resist. The first four races were sprinting dashes, while the last three called for contests at longer distances. The fourth race was the feature attraction and aroused much interest because of the presence in it of some fast sprinters. No mistake was made in backing the English horse Sirocco to win. His owner and trainer, E. L. Fitzgerald, had him in the pink of condition and he was never in danger. Taking the lead shortly after the rise of the barrier. Sirocco soon demonstrated his fitness by first racing Apple Jack II. legweary, then when Tony Beau loomed up threateningly at the head of the stretch, easily drew away to score by two lengths. The mile and three-sixteenths of the fifth race provided a big upset in the downfall of Stonewall. His backers were quite jubilent when he raced into the lead in the last turn and appeared to have the contest at his mercy. However their joy was short-lived for just when victory seemed certain he tired and Coscorron and Walter Turnbow passed him, the first mentioned scoring by three and a half lengths. VICTORY FOR MARGARET WARE. While the majority of those who wagered on the result of the opening race placed their hopes on Margaret Ware there were a goodly number cf them who figured Adventuress to have an excellent chance of carrying off first honors. The backers of the Evans two-year-old were flattered when Adventuress dashed into the lead with the rise of the barrier and showed the way to the others at a fast clip. The daughter of Sweep held sway until entering the homestretch, where she tired from her pacemaking efforts and dropped back beaten. In the meantime Margaret Ware had been reserved in a forward position and Scheffel did not call on her until well in the stretch. However, when he released her from restraint Margaret Ware quickly gained on the leaders and taking command in the last eighth won drawing clear. Illusionist was second and Piegan third, with the tired Adventuress following. Memphis threatened to make it a double for W. P. Knebelkamp by sprinting into a good lead after rounding the far turn in the second race, but just when victory seemed assured he tired and relinquished first place to San Diego. The latter displayed more gameness at the finish than usual, with the result that after wearing down Memphis he drew away to gain the decision by a length. El Coronel and Prunes fought it out in the sixth, the former proving the gamer of the two, wanning by a neck. RUNAWAY FOR THE PIRATE. The Pirate made a runaway affair of the seventh, winning by a large margin. Prospector was second, coming from last place in the stretch to beat the tiring Nig by a head. The winner was claimed by J. A. Parsons for 30. The three-year-old filly India, which won the third race on Saturday at big odds, is one of twins, its mate having died shortly after being foaled. She is by Delhi Miss Bellamy and was bred by Major T. C. McDowell at his Ashland Stud in Kentucky. In the annals of racing it is very rare that, either of twins survive to racing age. In winning the first race Margaret Ware joins the list of the select few which have scored three -victories at this meeting. The others are Sea Prince and Marionette. Many elaborate luncheon parties were given at the Oriental Park clubhouse previous to the races this afternoon. Miss Alice Steinhart entertained twenty-eight of her young friends at one of the handsomest appointed tables, which was laden with flowers and presented the most imposing appearance of any similar gathering seen at the clubhouse this season. Mr. Prank Steinhart, her father, entertained a party of nine, and T. P. Mason, a prominent Havana club man, was host to eleven guests, including W. Powell, who is secretary of the American Legation. Among the guests were many other distinguished men. William Dondas, the owner of a good stable now racing at Oriental Park, leaves here on Tuesday for his home at Covington, Ky., where he will spend Christmas with his family. AVhile in Kentucky, Mr. Dondas will attend to some details connected with several racing associations in which he is interested. He plans to return here in two weeks. The clubhouse contingent was the largest of the meeting, numbering more than six hundred. Monday will be observed as-a day of rest by the horsemen and officials at Oriental Park and in accordance the track gates will remain closed. Commencing Tuesday there will be racing every day to and including Sunday, January 7. The Christmas Handicap, at a mile and a sixteenth, will be run on Monday, December 25. The entries for this race close on Saturday next. A party, headed by governor-elect J. Walton of Oklahoma, occupied a box in the grandstand. Seated beside the newly-elected governor was a party comprised of his wife and their children, judge and Mrs. C. H. Ruth, Henry Thompson, J. Campbell, F. Heffner, T. Edwards and A. N. Snodgrass. Discussion, equal favorite with Hohokus in the third race and which finished fifth, was claimed by J. A. Parson for ,100. Mrs. Frank Bruen was hostess to Mrs. Robinson of Great Neck, L. I., and William Powell, the screen celebrity: S. McNeil claimed Stonewall for 50.
