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; . ! . . ; • ; : j r -V-« Here and There on the Turf Delaware to Hurt Belmont Program Draws Good Horses Lincoln Fields Opening Pleases North Randall Joins Ranks i- ...4 A reduction in the size of the fields at Belmont Park may be noted during the final portion of the meeting because of the competition for material offered by Delaware Park. During the first two years of its existence, the course near Wilmington waited for Belmont Park to close before swinging into action but this years meeting" is beginning much earlier, probably to escape as much of the hot weather as possible. Also by opening on Memorial Day, Delaware will get in another holiday in addition to the fourth of July, which this year will mark the closing date. Although its opening is being advanced a week or two, Delaware has arranged its steeplechase events so as not to conflict with those at Belmont Park, although they naturally will be in opposition to Aqueducts cross-country events. Delaware Park has arranged the same liberal program of stakes that featured its first two meetings and thirteen features will be offered during the thirty days of sport. Three of these events will have 0,000 in added money, a pair of steeplechases will be endowed with ,000 each and three purse3 will be ,000. The others, with the exception of a ,500 steeplechase, each will be worth ,000. Particular attention is given at Delaware for fillies and mares and three of the features, including the 0,000 Newcastle Handicap, are devoted to members of this division. Horsemen appreciate such chances for the feminine members of their stables and that is one reason why so many well-known establishments will be represented at the Wilmington course during the next five weeks, more so than during the first two meetings when the track was building its foundation. What may prove to be the outstanding race of the meeting is the Kent Handicap, a 0,000 affair for three-year-olds, over the intermediate distance of a mile and one-sixteenth. The division is solidly represented in the Kent and with a reasonable handicap may be expected to draw such leaders as Johnstown, Gilded Knight, Challe-don, Heather Broom, Third Degree and Lovely Night, as they are among the fifty-. two nominees. None of the more important three-year-olds are in the Sussex Handicap, but the 0,000 closing attraction should bring another fine band of older horses, be-. cause of the eligibility of stars like Thanks-. giving, Sir Damion, Jacola, Handcuff, Tat-. terdemalion, Arabs Arrow, Cravat and Heelfly. Day in and day out the Delaware racing should be attractive because the Association sponsored by William du Pontj Jr., stresses good sport above anything else. The fine opening at Lincoln Fields so pleased Matt Winn, C. Bruce Head and their associates they expressed increased confidence for success of the new Chicago season. An opening day attendance of 10,000 persons in mid-week was an indication Chicago enthusiasts were ready to support racing with renewed vigor and it is hoped the increase will be maintained through the season. Fine sport was provided on opening day, particularly in the featured Crete Handicap, which marked another victoiy for the remarkable Silverette. A nine-year-old mare, Silverette still possesses the same keen speed she had in the early stages of her career. In fact, the daughter of Vandergrift and Louvain, by Marta Santa, had to show class as well being the top weight according to scale with an assignment of 118 pounds. Thoroughbreds will begin making history at North Randall today. For years one of the more improved courses devoted to trot-ters and pacers, North Randall has been made over at the instigation of a group of Cleveland sportsmen headed by Charles Y. McVey to cater to runners and an ambitious program has been arranged. Eight features, two worth ,000 and the others ,500, will be presented during the thirty-three day term and the purses will have a minimum value of 00. Such a program has tempted numerous stables which otherwise might have gone to Lincoln Fields or Detroit, although the latter tracks fortunately are well supplied with material. Further to insure Cleveland as good sport as possible, McVey and associates have selected a good staff of officials headed by Samuel C. Nuckols as steward, Julius Reeder as racing secretary and William C. Daly as starter.
