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DAY OF CLOSE FINISHES 4 Winners Score by Small Margins at Oriental Park Wednesday. Callahans Vigorous Riding Enables Franchise to Defeat Mrs. Gardner. By a Nose. HAVANA, Cuba, March 19. Stirring finishes were in order at Oriental Park this afternoon. Small margins separated the first two horses in the first five races and the winners were in doubt until the final strides. The improvement in track conditions looks as if the going will now bo fast for the j remainder of the meeting. A large crowd turned out to witness the sport The tightest fit of the afternoon came with, the running of the fifth race, when Franchise defeated Mrs. Gardner by a nose. Callahan outrode OBrien when it came to the finish and in a great measure it was due to his efforts that Franchise won. Wee Toddler, well supported by her people, made good when she came from behind in the stretch and outgamed the tiring Silvergrift and won by a head. These two were the choices. Silvergrift made all the pace, but when the final test came weakened. Flying Prince galloped home an easy winner of the sixth race, when he came from behind in the stretch run to win going away by four lengths from Huen. Squire Wiggins, Lank and Biddledee were the pacemakers, but raced each other into exhaustion. Bill Brush, first-time starter at the meeting, proved a handy winner in the first race. He was ridden by O. Pernia and made, all the pace, beating Aunt Deda three-quarters of a length in a driving finish. Another driving finish came with the running of the second race. Clem Theissn outran the others from the start and drew away into a long lead, but rounding the far turn tired badly and just lasted to score by a neck. Duke of Wellington ran a good game race in the third to win from Busy Bob by a neck. The winner began well, forcing the early pace. In the stretch run Busy Bob passed him, but Duke of Wellington came again and proved the gamest in the final drive. Busy Bob was pulleti up at the start and was far back in the early running. J. W. Pangle disposed of the plater Caesar at private sale to W. J. Daly. The latter intends making a jumper of the imported son of Stedfast. Foreward, from the same stable, will also be schooled through the field. Tom Brown received word that his good mare Miss Jazbo had foaled a fine-looking colt by Black Toney. This is the third colt foal the mare has had. The first foal was Great Jaz, which was disposed of for 10,000. Mountain Lassie was galloped a half mile after the running of the first race .today. She went the quarters in 12, 24, 36 and the half mile in 49. News of the death of Frederick Milton Muetrie in Jacksonville was received by James Milton this morning. Muetrie was employed as assistant to William Maher, manager of the ring, until about two weeks ago.-The deceased was a native of Vancouver, B. C.
