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Crack Field of Sprinters To Contest Wilmington Rippey Has Formidable Rivals In Natchez and Blue Border STANTON, Del., May 26.— A stellar field of top sprinters is expected to go postward in the 0,000 Wilmington Handicap, opening-day feature here on Saturday. The six-furlong dash will highlight the first program of the thirty-two day meeting which will run continuously through July 4. William G. Helis topweighted Rippey, under 130 pounds, is slated to fulfill his engagement in the eleventh running of the fixture. The other likely candidates of the fifty-five eligibles are Mrs. Walter M. Jeffords Natchez, Greentree Stables Blue Border, Maine Chance Farms Royal Blood, Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs Royal Governor, Foxcatcher Farms Manyunk, William H. Veenemans Phar Mon and Irish Sun, Woodland Farms Picture Card, William G. Jones Winter Wheat and Lazy F Ranchs Nathaniel. Rippey, who was voted the third best sprinter in the country last year, behind Coaltown and Citation, is an accomplished . weight carrier. At sprint distances, he is rated at the top. A five-time stakes winner in 1948, the six-year-old stalwart of the Helis establishment is well on his way to surpass that mark with two major victories to his credit this season. Rippey accounted for the Toboggan and Paumonok Handicaps this year. In the first-named six-furlong affair he carried 129 pounds and was under a 125 -pound burden in the Jamaica event. Natchez and Blue Border shape up as the chief contenders. The former has been training steadily under the watchful eye of trainer Oscar White and will be fresh and ready for his engagement. Blue Border flashed early speed in his last outing, the Metropolitan Handicap, but found the one mile too far. The Bimelech gelding is better suited at shorter distances and has won two races this season. The locally owned stables will have two strong candidates in. Royal Governor and Manyunk. The latter will carry the familiar blue and gold silks of William duPont, Jr., a director and member of the executive committee of Delaware Park. The homebred son of Unbreakable and Golden Manda has been lightly campaigned this season. He failed to exhibit his best form in the Metropolitan Handicap, his one eastern start after shipping from Santa Anita, where he was a good winner. In his last start, Royal Governor was a fast-closing fourth in Garden State Parks Camden Handicap. The five-year-old gelding has accounted for two purses this season. I
