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Delegate in Second Steger Triumph Beats Blue Helen By Two Lengths Woolford Sprinter in Hand After Disposing of Filly in Late Stretch at Homewood WASHINGTON PARK, Homewood, 111., May 28. That there isnt a sprinter on the grounds who belongs in the same bracket with the Woolford Farms flashy Delegate was amply demonstrated when the gelding shouldered 125 pounds and ran away from his foes in the eighteenth running of the 0,000 added Steger Handicap before an enthusiastic crowd of 19,505 here this afternoon. Eldon Nelson, skillful contract rider for the Woolford outfit, rode with much confidence as he guided the five-year-old through the pack before he gained the upper hand half way down the stretch. At the finish, Delegate was two lengths clear and never at any time during the late stages was he pressed. Joseph A. Kroecks good filly, Blue Helen, turned in one of the finest performances of her career. She vied for the early lead, forged into a clear advantage early in the stretch and then held on well, though bowing to a vastly superior foe. Third in the six and one-half furlongs special was Mrs. Emil Denemarks Enforcer, while Oscar J. Breaults With Pleasure was a disappointing fourth. Delegate, who won the Steger last year, raced the distance in 1:17, which was well below the track standard of 1:16, but from a time standpoint it was the classic of the meeting which has been plagued by constant "off" tracks. The early pace showed that the course was at its best, for the leaders hung out :22, :45, and 1:10. Delegate was in front when the latter point was reached. Because of his imposing victory in the Crete Handicap here on opening day, Delegate was a pronounced choice in the wagering, although forced to pick up additional weight. He returned .80 to the favorite players. Ail-Time Earnings at 41,600 Owner Herbert M. Woolf netted ,775 by the victory and this boosted Delegates all-time total to 41,600. He has been the only horse in the vast Woolford entourage that has shown signs of real class since the veteran Historian was forced to the sidelines. Ten competed in the Steger and at the start Ruby White and his crew encountered considerable difficulty with the erratic Proud Ruler and Jett-Jett. However, when he sprung the latches, they all were out as a team and Tidy Sum was first to show to the front. Blue Helen picked up the chase immediately and as they curved into the far turn they were running head and head. Delegate, in the meantime, was well-placed but in a precarious position between horses. With Pleasure was right there with him and for a time it seemed that both would be blocked badly. Half way around the turn, Nelson and Gerald Porch, on With Pleasure, eyed an opening and both darted for it at the same time. Delegate was first to get there and this left the Breault star behind what amounted to a brick wall. Porch, consequently, was forced to take up sharply and this cirtually eliminated him of all chance. With clear sailing, Delegate proceeded to run all but Blue Helen into the ground. The filly had put away Tidy Sum with authority and when the Woolford speedster challenged she held on tenaciously for several strides. But Delegate, in spite of his high weight was not to be denied and through the last eighth he asserted his authority.. Favorites fared poorly during the early part of the program, not one managing to gain the desired goal through the first five races. Supporting the Steger was the San-kari Purse and this was taken by the 2.60 for chance, Clevelander, owned by the Shady Brook Farm. The gray gelding, who was making his first start of the meeting, after racing at the Fair Grounds during the winter and at Churchill Downs this spring, came from well off the pace. He was pinched back in the run down the him down on the rail where he saved much ground. When the leaders swung out at the top of the stretch Clevelander, remaining on the rail, collared Countess In and then drew away to win by two and one-half lengths. Clevelanders time, 1:10 for the six furlongs, equaled that of No Strings earlier in the program for the best mark of the meeting for the distance up to that time. No Strings whipped a fair field of three-year-olds in the second. The gray daughter of Occupation Irvana, by Blue Larkspur, was making her first start since last July, but proved herself in perfect condition.
