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t -J t a j l t 1 1 : i i . : i 1 " 1 1 - 3 1 J ! : I DAY OF EXCITING RACING 1 Sundays Program at Oriental Park Provides Close Finishes. Cottager, Fusileer and J. G. RIckcl in Spectacular Struggle, Inches Separating Trio at the End. HAVANA, Cuba, Dec. 2S. Oriental Park was called on today to accommodate one of the largest crowds of the present meeting. A program of seven races was the Sunday offering of the Cuba-America Jockey Club and some interesting sport was provided. The finishes in a majority of the contests were close with the results in doubt until the official placings were announced. There was a spectacular finish in the fifth, three-quarters dash for two-year-olds. Inches separated the first three horses at the finish and not until the numbers were hung up were the spectators certain which of the trio had won. The judges awarded the decision to Cottager, with Fusileer and J. G. Bickel second and third respectively. The latter would have Avon had he not gone Avide entering the stretch. Again in the fourth there Avas a close finish, only a head separating Gonwithim and Pri-Aato Pete as the pair crossed the Avinning line. GoiiAvithim closed an immense gap in the stretch and, o-ertaking PriAate Peat. Avhich had assumed the lead Ahen Col. Pat retired, outgamed him in a terrific duel, Avith the result in doubt until the final strides. HIDDLEDEE TRIUMPHS. Nine platers, four-year-olds and oAer, made up the field in the opener and, after Mess Kit had set the pace to the last eighth, Biddledce caught and passed him to Avin by a half length. Bodanzky finished third, a half length ahead of Drapery, the faA-orite, A-hich closed a big gap from a sIoav beginning. Another band of Aeteran campaigners met in the second and Haran outlasted Old Sinner to .win- by a small margin. The latter looked all OAer the winner when he assumed the lead in the stretch, but tired Avhen Haran caught him in the last eighth. Beg Pardon, after racing prominently all the Avay, pulled up lame, barely saving third place. Lord YargraAe Avas claimed from J. L. Trice by II. C. Carlson for ,000 after Avin-ning the fourth race Friday. Liege Avas claimed from S. T. Baxter by II. W. Barnes for ,000. Roger Odea employed in the mutuel de-; partment at Oriental Park has been sick for seAeral days and will be sent home to Baltimore. Hugh Maguire, one of the most distinguished members of NeAV York lodge of Elks Number One, sent Avord he is. coming to HaA-ana for an indefnite sojourn. He is a racing patron and a loyal follower of the New York Giants, having made frequent trips with the team during the training and playing season. JOCKEYS NARROW ESCAPE. Jockey Abel White, exercising Yakima, narroAvly escaped being killed A-hen the horse fell, pitching Abel headlong. The boys collarbone AAas broken, but the horse j Avas uninjured. Jockey Pete Groos gave a good exhibition of bareback riding Avhen he Avon the third j race Christmas day with BigAvig. During; the running of the race Bigwigs saddle slipped and Groos finished Avith both feet swinging out of the stirrups. Despite this he put up a rousing finish and just did get up in time to beat Gomvithim a nose at the post. Jockey Callens failure to ride Irish Frieze, his only mount Thursday,. Avas due to an in- jury sustained Wednesday. While on Amber Fly, a clod struck him in his right eye, temporarily impairing his vision.
