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ORIENTAL PARK PROGRESS Meeting Would Be Big Success With Favorable Conditions. W. R. Coc, E. F. Whitney and Florida Stable Dominate Racing Jockey Dawson Saddle Find. HAVANA, Cuba, Feb. 4. The second half of the present meeting at Oriental Park is going along smoothly though track conditions have been decidedly against the sport. The first half of the meeting was a big improvement over last years, and with more favorable weather and a fast track the remaining days of the present one should be even more successful. Among the newcomers this winter are the Edward F. Whitney horses and the Florida stable. B. J. MacDonald. a Florida contractor and owner of the Florida stable, is new to the turf. The stable is in the hands of trainer F. Walker, and at present heads the list of winning owners at the meeting. Next in line comes the W. R. Coe establishment, while Edward F. Whitney is third. The Florida stable last summer laid its plans to bring together sufficient racing material to make a name for itself in Cuban sport. The move was a successful one. The shortage of competent riders on the island, although to be deplored, cannot be helped. At a winter meeting some new riding star usually dominates the sport. Late in the fall trainers begin to give their stable boys an occasional mount. The youngster is then turned over to some stable that contemplates a winter campaign. Havana, thus far, has not developed any real stars this season, although J. Dawson, a boy that James Fitzsimmons brought out, appears to be the best. Of the older riders Pickens heads the list with J. Callahan next. A. McLaughlin, a son of that peerless rider of some years ago, is coming to the front rapidly. H:s handling of the erratic Debadou in his last few starts has won him many admirers. There is no reason why McLaughlin should not be successful. The success of Canadian-breds in this climate has attracted considerable attention from horsemen and it would not be surprising in future years to see a vastly increased number of horses shipped down from the Dominion. The majority of the horses foaled in Canada are hardy. The heat of Cuba does not appear to affect either their health or racing qualities. The daily entry lists this year have far outnumbered those of any previous year. The weather for the first part of the meeting was all that could be desired, but during the past ten days there have been some of the worst rain storms which the city has had in years. Track conditions have accordingly favored the pronounced mud runner. The soil at Havana takes considerable time to dry out properly in spite of the great heat of the sun.
