view raw text
SEVERE RAIN STORMS Play Havoc at Oriental Park and Reduce Attendance. Both Track and Roads Leading to Course Affected Details of " Tuesdays Racing. HAVANA, Cuba, Jan. 15. The recent severe cold snap in the States has had a visible effect on the tourist rush to Cuba. Every boat and train leaving the North has passengers destined for this metropolis of the island. The hotels report a brisk business and many reservations for large parties for the next month or so. The Havana Jockey Club encountered during the past week some extremely unfavorable weather. On the heels of the blizzard which raged through the northern country a terrific and steady rain set in here. The storm came after a prolonged dry spell, and the downpour was the worst experienced in years. The track was flooded and the roadways leading to the course were inches deep in water. The average Cuban does not like to brave the inclement weather and the result was that the crowds were of meager proportions. For the forty-second day of the present meeting a crowd of goodly proportions was present at Oriental Park. The program began with a two-year-old dash that attracted much interest. The result of this contest further emphasized the fact that E. F. Whitney has a young filly above the ordinary in Gymkhana, a daughter of Jim Gaffney Our Hannah, by Yankee. HER SECOXD YICTORT. She has won both races in which she started. Today she was coupled with Parma-chenee Belle and ruled an overwhelming favorite. There was deep concern expressed when she swerved over to the inner rail shortly after the start, causing a jam. However, it did not take her long to get clear and, once out in front, easily outdistanced her opponents to win by a big margin, with Marquesito, a first-time starter, second and the winners stablemate in third place. Feodor scored impressively in the second race. The old Ivan the Terrible gelding closely followed the pacemaker, Sky Man, and after he tired moved to the front and thereafter easily dominated the situation. In his previous start Moorfield. from the W. A. McKinney stable, clearly indicated that he was about due to earn brackets. The indications were correct, for tcday he ran a fine race to beat W. Dondas Miss Rosedale, making her turf debut, by a length. The latter set the pace from the rise, of the barrier until the last eighth, where she failed to withstand the winners challenge. The veteran Rapid Stride was equal favorite with Lilac Time in the fourth race and made good in decisive fashion, while the last mentioned failed to race a respectable gallop and ran in the rear all the way. There was a decided surprise in the running of the fifth race when the favorite, Charles Whitney, failed to finish in the money. The winner turned up in Sun Maiden, from the W. R. Coe stable, the well-bred English three-year-old leading all the way to score in a canter. Ferguson made a game finish to earn second place in the last few strides. Jockey Oscar Pernia was suspended for twenty days for rough riding in the seventh race Sunday. This is his second suspension. Four claims were lodged for Forest Queen, the winner of the fourth race Sunday. P. Hinphy got her for ,000.
