view raw text
Delegate Delegate Seeking Seeking Repeat Repeat in in Steger; Steger; Johns Johns Joy Joy Has Has Six Six Frontier Frontier Rivals Rivals Woolford Sprinter Carries 125 Today To Concede With Pleasure Seven Pounds, Eight Other Rivals Up to Twenty-Four WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111., May 27. Since the 0,000 Steger Handicap was transformed Into a sprint back in 1937, no thoroughbred carrying more than 119 pounds has emerged victorious, in spite of numerous attempts by outstanding horses. When the eighteenth running of this six and one-half furlongs event comes up for decision on tomorrows Lincoln Fields program, the Woolford Farms speedy Delegate will try to establish a precedent when he picks up the steadying burden of 125 pounds against the fastest opposition quartered at this course. The handsome chestnut won the test last year with 118 pounds up, beating Eternal Reward, Tidy Sum and others. But this season he won the Crete Handicap here on opening day and as a result racing secretary Lawrence C. Bogenschutz adjusted his weights for the Steger with the result that Delegates task tomorrow takes on herculean tasks to say the least. The Steger will be the first of a pair of stakes to be offered on the big holiday week-end program designed by the Lincoln Fields Racing Association, and if the weather mans predictions hold good the largest crowd of the meeting will flock into this spacious plant to see Delegate and others in action. On Monday, the 5,000 Peabody Memorial, at a mile and one-eighth, will bring out a band of star three-year-olds. Won Crete Under 120 Ten sprinters, representing nine interests, have accepted Bogenchutz weights for the Steger. Other than Delegate, they are Oscar J. Breaults With Pleasure, Brown Hotel Stables Tidy Sum, Mrs. Emil Denemarks Enforcer, Mrs. A. M. Durschs Anns Lee, Joseph A. Kroecks Blue Helen, Mrs. Ada L. Rices Proud Ruler and One Alone, Peter J. Valentis Caillou Rouge and W. M. Peaveys Jett-Jett. In winning the Crete, Delegate handled 120 pounds and at the finish he was two and one-half lengths ahead of Enforcer, with others in the field being With Pleasure, Anns Lee, Gangway and Happy Issue. Those, who witnessed the affair, however, agreed that his margin was not in any manner indicative of his superiority. There were many, as a matter of fact, who expressed the belief that he was quite lucky to bag the top end of the purse. Delegate didnt seem to be going anywhere in particular during the early inn-Continued on Page Three DELEGATE Winner of the 1948 Steger Handicap, the Woolford speedster will attempt to make it two in a row today. Delegate Shoulders 125-Pound Impost As He Strives for Repeat in Steger To Concede With Pleasure i Seven Pounds, Eight Other Rivals Up to Twenty-Four Continued from Page One ning, while Anns Lee, With Pleasure and Enforcer fashioned a sharp early pace. The Woolford five-year-old was lagging badly, but at the top of the stretch the leaders went extremely wide and this allowed Delegate to slip through on the rail at a saving of several lengths, gain the lead, and then he was hustled right on down to the wire to maintain his advantage. Under these extenuating circumstances, it seems ironical that Delegate, under his added impost, will be a heavy favorite in the wagering. On cold past performances it would appear that he is what might be termed a "solid" choice, but many horsemen here do not believe he can spot so much weight and down his opposition if the race is truly run, a factor that was hardly so in the Crete. With Pleasure, back in top trim under the careful supervision of the veteran trainer, Clyde Troutt, looms as the one to beat. Triumphant over the great gelding, Armed, three times of the seven occasions they met in 1947, the Breault sprinter hasnt done much since, spending much of his time on the sidelines. However, when he was brought back to competition here on opening day, he appeared in excellent health, and the brand of speed he showed was a harbinger of a better effort next time. He had dead aim on the lead at the head of the stretch, but lost all chance when he dashed toward the outside rail. He gets in the race under only 118 pounds, and there is a shift in weights that benefits him to the extent of five pounds over Delegate. Enforcer, one of the best thoroughbreds bred in. Illinois, is another that took a wide arc at the stretch turn in the Crete. With him, however, that hardly was an excuse, for he was merely repeating what he has done frequently since he came out as a two-year-old. Trainer Bob McGarvey has done -everything possible to correct this costly fault, but has met with little response. When on his good behavior, Enforcer is capable of matching strides with the best on the grounds. After his dart to the outside in the Crete, he straightened away nicely and was up in the last few strides to beat With Pleasure. Another potent foe for Delegate is Tidy Sum, a very consistent performer who will be making his fifth start of the year. The six-year-old gelded son of Teddys Comet Sunmelia, finished second in his first two starts at Churchill Downs, then came through with a sparkling triumph over a good field at the Derby track. Shortly thereafter he was moved here, and on last Saturday, he registered another victory. His 110 pounds for the Steger should suit him well, and he is to be ridden bjr Harold "Red" Keene. Tomorrows program is the finest of the Illinois season thus far. There are several supporting features on the card that should stir up considerable interest. Post time for the opening race will be 2 p. m.
