view raw text
*J lines lines of of stately stately fo WEIGHING IN By EVAN smpman DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 23. — Year after year, when we pay our visit to Delaware Park, the beauty of the track has grown during the interval of our absence, The great charm of Delaware resides in its natural and landscaped setting, and here time is the chief architect. The The general general effect effect is is aided aided by by long long foliage liage playing playing upon upon one one another another in in *J lines lines of of stately stately fo The The general general effect effect is is aided aided by by long long foliage liage playing playing upon upon one one another another in in counterpoint. Nor could any more practical arrangement have been devised, because these forest depths lend the illusion of coolness in a climate where every breath of air is welcome, and where shade is the only refuge from a broiling sun. The simplicity of the track is deliberate. It serves to emphasize the rural nature of the sport, and Delaware is one of the few American racing associations that could, if it cared to, include the term "Downs" in its name without inviting ridicule. AAA When we discuss Delaware and its affairs in this column, our approach, by design, is different from that employed with almost any other track. Here in its delightful environment, we have a track built by horsemen, and a meeting conducted by horsemen for horsemen. Delaware, praise be, is subject to none of the confining inhibitions so common elsewhere. Just as the setting was provided to intensify the gracious spectacle of horse racing, so, too, the programs here are intended to throw the best qualities of the thoroughbred into strong relief. Other associations, through the very nature of their purpose, make concessions for which they can hardly be blamed, but at Delaware, such considerations never enter the picture. We can talk frankly about the sport here without the feeling that other invoiced but nevertheless Delaware Parks Ideal Setting Enhances Sport Track Was Built by Horsemen for Horsemen Grecian Queen Shows Signs of Recovering Form Overnight Chases Have Been Well Supported important factors are there to modify, limit the point of view. AAA With the running of the Delaware Oaks on Saturday and the rich New Castle scheduled for July 5, fillies and mares are very much in the limelight here at present. On our arrival this morning, we were closely -questioned as to Grecian Queens performance in yesterdays Aqueduct feature, the Faireno Purse, a race that local horsemen felt might have some bearing on the imminent New m Castle, one of this same Grecian Queens most impressive trophies last season. All we could say was that Mrs. Ben Whitakers four-year-old daughter of Heliopolis, beaten some dozen lengths in her Long Island start by the excellent Crash Dive, had looked better than at any time previously this year. In the mile and a sixteenth Aqueduct race, she had forced the Devil Diver colts pace for nearly eight furlongs, only to fade midway of the long stretch. As we saw it, the best part of Grecian Queens effort was that she raced with enthusiasm, something up to now has been notably lacking. Crash Dive is now credited with being a really good one. It is no disgrace to the filly that she could not bother him seriously at even weights, and it looks as if she is recovering her form. AAA To our surprise, Evening Out was not nominated for the Delaware Oaks this week end, and so George D. Wideners robust daughter of Shut Out will not get the chance just yet to redeem herself for her defeat in the recenn Gazelle. The Oaks, however, will bring out a splendid field, even in her absence, Cherokee Rose, Open Sesame, June Fete, Riverina, On Your On, Indian Legend and Small Favor all appearing to hold a good chance for this interesting test. King Ranchs Riverina, a stable-mate of Assaults little sister, On Your Own, who humbled Evening Out in Aqueducts Gazelle, has the distinction of having engaged the colts this year. Her race in the Belmont Stakes was not particularly conspicuous, but by the same token it was not at all bad. It takes a rare filly to hold her own in conflict with her male contemporaries at anything like equality of weight, and that is why we were so impressed by news from California relative to Two Leas younger sister, Miz Clementine. The Calumet miss will not be on hand J or the Delaware Oaks, of course, but she may well head East this f all, and she will be among those the Delaware Oaks winner must meet to assure the seasons title in this division. AAA Overnight steeplechases, surrounding this associations generous stakes program for the hedge hoppers, are receiving far better support from owners this year than last. Thursday, for instance, a half dozen specialists will meet in a two-mile chase named for honest old Elkridge, Kent Millers remarkably durable gelding who was never more at home than over this course. Several of the entries here are merely names as far as we are concerned, but we are thoroughly familiar with Montpeliers pair] Mighty Mo and the veteran Navy Gun. It is likely that the passing seasons have taken their toll of Navy Gun, but Mighty Mo is one of the most promising young horses in training, and it too bad that he was not named for Fridays nenewal of the Georgetown. Ridden by this Continued on Page Fifty-Two WEIGHING IN I By EVAN SHIPMAN Continued from Page Sixty columnists nephew, Evan Jackson, Mighty Mo was a good third in last falls Belmont Grand National. He has both speed and class, but his fencing is not quite as "professional" as that of the top ones he must encounter in the stakes* a part of his education that trainer Ray Woolf will certainly not neglect.
