The New York herald., 1920-01-26
$4,000 RACES ON
HAVANA'S TRACK
Grand National Handicap and Cuban
Derby To Be Run Next
Month.
Especial Correspondence Of the Herord.)

4 Especial Correspondence Of the Reruld.)
HAVANA, Cuba. January 21.-Five of
the stake fixtures of the Cuban winter
run, leaving eight more fixtures to be de-
cided. The remaining ones are all impor-
tant events, notably the Grand National
Handicap and the Cuban Derby, both with
an endowment of 1900, and therefore the
most valuable stake offerings OF any win
ter racing season
Remarkable interest is being shown in
the probable fields that will contest for
these important events, and speculation as
to the outcome is liveljer than ever. The
fact that among the elgiblcs in both
stakes are representatives of Cuban
owned stables gives these stakes an added
Importance and interest among local race
year-olds and upward, while the Derby
( of course is for three-year- -olds. Both
events are at the distance of one mile and
furlong. The handicap will have its
running March "A, while the Derby will be
decided March 2s. the closing day Of the
meeting.
Declarations from both events were due
January Is, and the list of declarations In
each race was smaller than expected.
Twenty-nine of the pick OF the all aged
division remain in the Grand National
while an even twenty are left in the
Derby.
! The most formidable nominees remain
ing in the Grand National are Cromwell,
Kiku, Hank O'Day, Bally, Iolite, Walnut
Hall. Lackawanna, Orestes, Grundy, Hub
bub and Buford.
| OF those remaining eligible for the Derby
four are the property of Seior A. H. Diaz.
these being Blue Wrack. Grayssian. Sea
Bat and Rovensea. This well known
! Cuban stable appears to hold a strong
hand in the decision of this rich stake!
The Ammonia stable, another prominent
Cuban racing establishment. has only Ford
and Mess Kit TO represent IL, and this
pair arc not regarded as having much of a
chance in the races decision.
OF the American owned stables w. v.
Thraves, j. T. Ireland Frank Rector, W.
c. Wcant and J. w. Pangle have eligibles
whose prospects are regarded with some
favor Mr.. Traves has the fast filly Mile
Dazic. which has been racing well in
sprint handicaps. and Which appears able
to negotiate a distance of ground. Mr.
4 ireland has the speedy Clearing Up, VIM
ner in her first time at the barrier. Pangle
has Roseland. a big, lusty geldiug that
has been working in splendid shape, but
which has. not yet started in race this
winter. Frank Rector thinks highly OF
Black Prince, while w. G. Wcant has no
mean candidate in his fast filly Eular f.
American stables Formidable.
Outside of the boundaries of the United
States the memory of Theodore Roosevelt
lis more devoutly revered in Cuba than in
ANY other country. The CubanS remem-
Der the services of the former Rough
Rider In behalf of their country and now
that the campaign for funds with which
Ito erect n suitable memorial is under way
they are showing their appreciation in a
Substantial manner One of the features
lof the drive will be n special day at the
race track when n diversified race pro-
gramme will be given which Is expected
Ito draw thousands and add considerably
Ito the fund. Monday, January 70, is the
day the owners of Oriental Park have
placed their property at the disposal OF
the committee. which Is headed by Colonel
lE. silva, commanding officer at Camp
Columbia, and an ardent adinirer oil
Colonel Roosevelt. The programme Will
comprise ten events in all. rive VIII pe
regular running races. There VIII be
races for army officers and enlisted men,
a pony race, race for army mules ana
other novel events.
/ Mr. Frederick Harris, owner OF The
Briars, which adioins Captain +. NJ wal
Iker's breeding farm at Boyce. Clark Coun-
Ity, Virginia. has been spending short
time in Havana. having recently returned
from England. whittier he went TO pur-
chase some high class mares, which are
now on their way to the United States
n Il is Mr.. Harris intention To breed these
mares to Trap Rock. the full brother TO
Tracery, winner OF the Derby. Mr.. G. a.
Stoneham, first vice president of the
Cuba-American Jockey and Automobile
Club, is visiting New York on BUSINESS
but will return shortly While in New
York he expects to close the deal for the
purchase Of the horses owned by the es-
tate Of Andrew Miller. The better ones
| in the list are Snapdragon, Recount and
Bff Bang. Mr., Stoneham has Bally and
a couple Of other horses in Cuba, and Is
so much enamored Of racing that he in
tends to greatly increase his turf hold
lings and is on the lookout for more first
class material.
/ John j. McGraw, who has been spend
ing the winter here. with an occasional
flying trip 10 New York will probably
remain here until IL is time to turn his
lattenton TO the spring training OF the
Giants, which will be at San Antonio,
Texas. Like Mr. Stoneham. McGraw :
greatly enamored of the Cuban climate
and intends 10 make the islands his win
ter nbode In the ftIttya.