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Total of 1,047 Eligible For Delawares Stakes Offer 52,500 for 15 Major Events at Coming 32-Day Meet STANTON, Del., May 10.— Final tabulation of nominations for Delaware Parks 1955 stakes shows a total of 1,047 eligibles, an increase of 45 over the 1,002 named in 1954. The Stanton track will present the richest added money program in its history, offering 52,500 for 15 major events to be decided during the 32 -day meeting, May 28 through July 4. The increase in nominations is all the more significant considering the change in conditions for three steeplechase events which, while retaining their added money value of 0,000 each, this year are being placed in the overnight category rather than stakes. Last season, the Tom Roby, Georgetown and Indian River steeplechases attracted a total of 62 eligibles, who were included in the 1954 overall total of 1,002 nominations. Outstanding on Delaware Parks 1955 agenda is the Distaff Big Three, a quarter-million-dollar jackpot series of filly and mares races, consisting of the Delaware Oaks, "New" New Castle, and the climactic, newly-named 50,000 Delaware Handicap, the latter at one mile and a quarter. This widely hailed series, naturally the main magnet for horsemen, will be offered on the final three Saturdays of the meeting, culminating with the Delaware Handicap on July 2 — richest distaff stake in the world. The 0,000 added Wilmington Handicap at six furlongs, traditional opening day highlight, lists 41 nominations. It is for three-year-olds and upward. Mrs. Ada L. Rice, who won the event last year with Pet Bully, is the leading nominator numerically with four candidates — Cerise Reine, Mr. Paradise, Ring King and Snugger. Two previous victors in the Wilmington are among the candidates. They are Alfred Roberts Eatontown 1953 and Mrs. J. R. H. Thourons Wilmington-owned Royal Governor 1949.
