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FINCASTLE SURPRISES Holder of Record Mutuel Pay-Off in Cuba Again Triumphs. Yesterdays Victory as Unexpected as on the Former Occasion More Mud Racing. HAVANA, Cuba, Jan. 8. A few weeks ago, or, to be more exact, on December 19, there was considerable excitement at Oriental Park when Fincastle won and paid the largest mutuel return in the history of racing in Cuba. "Well, the same Fincastle won today and though he did not pay any such record sum as in the above-mentioned case, still his victory this afternoon was as much a surprise as it was on December d. He was one of the ten starters in the mile and a sixteenth cf the fifth race and one oi the rank outsiders in the betting calculations. That fact did not deter hini from racing close up all the way, taking the lead in the stretch and, though tiring, last long enough to earn a nead decision over Conundrum. Track conditions were slightly improved, but not enough to favor the horses that race best on a dry and fast course. It is expected that in another day or so the track will again be at its best, if no more rain falls. SrEEDY TWO-YEAR-OLD. Training gossip had credited E. F. Whitney with several speedy two-year-olds in his stable here at Orietal Park and Parmachenee Belle surely must have been one of these. At least she so impressed those who witnessed her performance in the inaugural dash of tho afternoon. She began quickly and, drawing away into a big lead, easily maintained it to the end to win by a big margin from Left Alone and May Baxter, the latter pair having a battle royal for the secondary honors. Strong support developed for Spring Vale in the second race and but for swerving over to the inside when gaining on the leaders at the sixteenth pest might have been a dangerous factor in the deciding drive. As it was she was eliminated as a serious contender, Forewarn and Miss Liberty passing her to finish second and third respectively without, however, menacing the chances of the ultimate Avinner. This was Jacobean from the J. A. Parson stable and the son of Polymelian never left the result in doubt, leading throughout with his rider easing him up at the end. The third race was won by Tease. This Well-named daughter of Flittergold Tantalize was helped by the going and the veteran J. Callahans good riding. She was never far from the leader and when Cloporte tired on reaching the far turn she moved to the front and drew clear in the last quarter. Cloporte finished on the outside, where tho going was heaviest and, with a more competent rider, might have made it more interesting for the winner. Moorfield, of which much was expected, ran well to the last eighth, then gave way to Mrs. Gardner, which finished third. GIYEX A SCARE. Just when the backers of Be Trueman were ready to hail their choice as the winner of the fourth race, they were given a scare that they will not readily forget. Be True-man had shown the way from the start, had raced Luckpenny into defeat and, drawing clear, appeared to have the race at her mercy with a four-length lead turning for home. Just when victory seemed assured she tired suddenly and it required the best and most vigorous efforts of her rider to enable her to outlast the fast finishing Queen Mazonia. The latter closed an immense gap frum a slow start and had the distance been a trifle further would have Won. The stewards have barred the furtner entry of the horse P. T. Barnum in races at Oriental Park. In his last start that racer bore across the track in the stretch and finished next to the outside fence. The horses belonging to the estate of Frank Del Barrio were recently disposed of at auction in the paddock at Oriental Park. The list of horses disposed of includes Lustre, which was sold to J. W. Pangle for 50, Johnny OConnell to C. F. Solomon for 33, Solomons Kilts to C. S. Stubbs for ?230 and Clare de Luna to the Florida Stable for ?200.
