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a "P* a Sat Crooning Wind Takes Georgetown JOCKEY DANNY MARZAN Iā Guided J Crooning Wind to victory in the Georgetown Steeplechase Handicap yesterday. Sets Steeplechase Mark at Delaware ā Outfences Favored Oedipus Under Light Impost to Gain His First Score of Career By PALMER HEAGERTY Staff Correspondent DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 27. ā Rokeby Stables Crooning Wind, a maiden jumper who competed less than a week ago under a ,500 claiming banner, picked up a purse of ,600 this afternoon while accounting for the 13th running of the Georgetown Steeplechase Handicap. Not only was he a convincing four-length winner under his feather -like assignment of 130 pounds, but he established a new course record for the about two miles distance, his 3:40% lopping one and four-fifths seconds off Mandinghams previous mark. Danny Marzani turned in a perfect ride atop the Paul Mellon chaser, who downed Mrs. Ogden Phipps Oedipus, who was highly favored by the crowd of about 7,000, despite operating under the burden of 158 pounds. Oedipus was about a dozen lengths clear of Genancoke, the winners stablemate. In fourth position, beaten close to 20 lengths, came Kent Millers Elkridge, who was making his 117th start and seeking his third victory in the event. As is the case for this "stake course" event each year, the field was sent on its way from directly in front of the clubhouse, with Lowry Watkins Tourist List wresting command while being closely pursued by Genancoke. These two alternated in setting the pace through the first mile, where Tourist List began faltering. Lone Fisherman Falls Heavily After about a mile and a half, F. Ambrose Clarks Lone Fisherman became the lone fatality in the race when he fell heavily at the eighth obstacle. Jockey El-wood Carter was thrown clear and appeared uninjured while leaving the course on his own power. Genancoke was left with the lead when Tourist List faded, but his running companion, Crooning Wind soon took over command and was two lengths clear as he completed the ninth fence. He was never again seriously threatened as he increased his advantage to the final flat, then proceeded to win handily over Oedipus. Elkridge performed in his usual steady fashion in the Georgetown, but he lacked the "zip" he has displayed over the same course in recent years. This same "zip" enabled him to win two runnings of the Georgetown, as well as five renewals of the Indian River. Crooning Wind, a five-year-old gelded son of Easton, is eligible for next weeks Indian River, which will give him an opportunity to emulate the feat of Elkridge, who swept both events in 1949 and 1950, and Rouge Dragon, who accounted for the 1944 and 1946 runnings of the events. Another record was established in the sixth race, the fifth and final in a series of Montchanin Handicaps, when Keystone Stables Cer Vantes raced a mile and three-quarters in 2:56%, taking three-fifths of a second off Windys previous mark. The six-year-old War Dog horse was expertly handled by Ronnie Nash and scored easily with seven lengths to spare over Margaret MacCullums Jitters, with Phil Leydeckers Fifty-Five a bit more than a length farther back. Cer Vantes, who raced coupled with Tus One, paid .
