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Jam Sets Indian Rive, Reco While Favored The Mast Falls Weir Fencer Gets to Feet -After Delaware Mishap and Finishes Third in Game Try By FRED GALIANI Staff Correspondent DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 27. Setting a new course record of 4:44 for the about two and one-half miles, James F. McHughs Jam captured the Indian River Steeplechase Handicap here this afternoon. But he was aided when The Mast, mainstay of the 1 to 2 favored Weir entry went down at the tenth jump and miraculously got to his feet with rider Pat Smithwick still aboard, and the other half of the entry, Cherwell, spilled over at the eleventh fence. Mill River Stables Monkey Wrench was second, before The Mast, while Rokeby Stables American Way completed the field. The winner ground out the victory with a margin of 20 lengths over the IF gruelling fences run over the stakes course. Earle Phelps was on Jam, who paid .10 as second choice in the Indian River Handicap. The winner carried 152 pounds, while The Mast was in with 161. Even though the favorites f ailed to save even place money, the crowd of 8,033 gave Jam a resounding hand of applause as he came" back to the winners circle. James McHugh received the trophy from Mrs. Russell D. Ketcham, wife of the director of Delaware Park, and daughter of J. Simpson Dean, vice-president of the association. Puts Ice Pack on Horses Heads For the third straight day the weather continued on the blast furnace-like side and trainer Jim Ryan attempted to ease the heat of his, two charges, The Mast and Cherwell in the paddock by putting ice packs on their heads and back of their necks. It was estimated that the temperature was 103 degrees in the sun. The victory in the Indian River was worth ,450 net to the owner McHugh and it raised Jams earnings for the year to 4,580. This was the fourth time this year that the five-year-old gelded son of Impound Cherry Orchard had triumphed over the fences. He won a steeplechase at the Warrenton Hunt meetingv and captured the International and Charles L. Ap-pleton chases in New York, but this was the first time that he scored under such an impost of 152 pounds. v The Mast, who had gone into the Indian River with three straight victories to his credit, including the Meadowbrook, Temple Gwathmey and Georgetown chases, was rigged at the highest weight of his career. Today he did not fence with the flawless grace that he showed in his other efforts. Away early and quickly followed by Jam, the two ofthem were close up for the first time around. The Mast landed badly at the third and fifth fence, but recovered enough each time to maintain his lead or just be a little off Jam. Coming to the tenth fence, The Mast landed flat on his stomach but Smithwick stayed on and the two got to their feet and continued on in the chase. By this time Jam had drawn oat to a safe lead that was never to be threatened, while Monkey Wrench moved up from fourth to be second. At the very next fence, Cherwell went down in a bad fall, bu jockey Warren Lane got up and walked away right after. From the stands it appeared -as if it might have been more disastrous. Jam was sailing overthe brush like a bird and from there on to the finish it was evident he could only beat himself by a mishap, which he did not. Smithwick attempted to regain the lost ground with The Mast and though the favorite tried as valiantly as he could he could not catch Monkey Wrench who was running second. Lawrence Jennings Navy Gun was scratched early in the afternoon thus depriving the race of one more starter. The Indian River is always a thrilling spectacle and Jam deserves credit for his victory, although The Mast must be lauded for his brilliant effort following his spill, and racing with his weight in such heat.
