view raw text
The Mater Merely Toys With Delaware Rivals Recovers From Early Misfortune To Register by Three Lengths DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 9. — Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs The Mater, three-year-old daughter of Count Fleet and Matriarch, who was regarded highly enough to have been made eligible for the rich Belmont Stakes, merely toyed with her opposition in this afternoons six-furlong Ridgeley House Purse and scored an easy three-length victory. Winner of a single race during her four-race juvenile campaign, The Mater was making her second start of the current campaign and gave the appearance of a sharp performer as she overcame trouble to win galloping in 1:12 for the six furlongs. Alfred G. Vanderbilts Kitty Hawk was second, four lengths clear of Charles E. Nelsons Riskabule. The Mater at .30 was the third successful favorite of the program to score for the crowd of approximately 10,000 enthusiasts. While The Maters connections have entertained no hopes of her being even a possible starter in the Belmont, they anticipate that she will make her presence felt when matched against members of her age and sex. She may be asked to compete in that company in the impending Delaware Oaks while she also is eligible to start in the Kent which is limited to three - Continued on Page Ttoo The Mater Merely Toys With Delaware Rivals Recovers From Early Misfortune To Register by Three Lengths Continued from Page One year-olds, and the New Castle, which is for fillies and mares. The Mater broke alertly under apprentice Joe Snyder but was knocked off stride and back several lengths when caught in a switch leaving the three-eighths pole. She recovered nicely, however, and when taken to the outside, literally flew by her opposition to win without too much exertion. In her only previous start this season, which was earlier in the current meeting, The Mater raced well through that mile and a sixteenth and concluded the trip in second position, beaten, by the well regarded Helis filly, Delta Queen. That effort, followed by todays good win, figures to earn her a starting position against "class" fillies. Kitty Hawk raced well this afternoon, and, she too, is eligible for the Oaks. Considerable improvement would be necessary in succeeding efforts to warrant her again giving The Mater competition. Kitty Hawk raced Rose Sand and Our Hostess into defeat, but had nothing in reserve when the ultimate winner challenged. Well-supported horses dominated the first four races on the program with two favorites clicking for the form followers.
