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i mmm, •*, -,vffir i Delaware — - By Charles Hatton « Delaware Meet Progresses Swimmingly Saratoga Prospect for Week-Ends Kent Top Fencer in Hedge Attractions , DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 1— Don Ross, Bryan Field, et alia of the sporting Stanton club, are delighted with public response to this much i of of their their stakes-spangled stakes-spangled meeting. meeting. of of their their stakes-spangled stakes-spangled meeting. meeting. This might be a little difficult to understand, looking at the "Trend of Racing," for the overall patronage is a bit down. But it has got to be remembered that this year Delaware operated in direct conflict with both Pimlico and Garden State the first two days. On the third day it attracted a crowd of 9,013 as against one of 8,866 for the corresponding" responding date date a a year year ago, ago, and and mmm, •*, -,vffir i responding date date a a year year ago, ago, and and the play was up approximately 5,000, totaling 69,-054. Field is optimistic that the Delaware club will enjoy a most successful meeting. And Ross is inclined to share this view. Ross is president of the local association and he occupies an unique position in that, in addition to his post here, the Delaware banker is a member of The Jockey Club, the TRA and is an owner and breeder. He began racing horses back t in the 20s. Masked General was perhaps his first really good performer. This horse came close to upsetting War Admiral on one auspicious occasion when the discrepancies in their weights may have been his undoing. In the first Pimlico Special, The Admiral was required to concede him 28 pounds, but the boy on Masked General could not weigh in at 100 and still do the horse full justice. To our latest accounts, Masked General is a " pensioner here. More recent cracks who raced for R,oss, Cochise and Greek Song now are ensconced in the stud in Kentucky and are sending up some likely prospects. Slight Decline Matter of National Economy Ross position as a financier lends much weight to his opinions as a track operator. Most all clubs this year are experiencing some slight decline in business,, but the Delawarian considers this perfectly normal, nor does he feel it in any way connotes a lapse of interest in the sport. It is rather more a matter of national economy. Few tracks are as well equipped to withstand the inevitable ups and downs of racing as is Delaware Park. It is in the fortunate position of being virtually "non-profit," in the sense that whatever yield, there may be goes immediately back into the physical property and the stakes. There is the quarter -million-dollar Distaff Big Three this summer. Additionally, the club has poured ,000,000 into a road which links Delaware Park with the- Delaware Memorial Bridge, a convenience for New Jersey turnpike patrons. There is also the expensive Basin Road intersection with the DuPont Highway, and more rapid transit is planned for future seasons. The directors of the club will meet on July 15 to formulate the improvement program for next year. Gil Haus, the efficient racing secretary and handi-capper at this point, expects a field of 10" or 11 for the 5,000 added Kent of a mile and a sixteenth here on Saturday. On the grounds for this three-year-old stake is Mrs. Scotts Saratoga, who was the runner-up in the Preakness and is the prospective top weight at 120 pounds. Also among those present may be the recent winner Little Dell, Fast and Far, Leaptide, Go Lightly, Cup Man, Royal Briar, Westward Ho, Policeman Day, Alibhai Lashes, Craigwood, Sailor and Blazing Count. Usually it takes a pretty good colt to take— this event, which in past years went to such as Andy K., Sun Lover, King Dorsett, Wine List, Hall of Fame., and last season Chevation. The last nameds half brother Chessian, who is by Polynesian out of the brilliant Fairy Chant, is a candidate for the upcoming renewal, but we should think he will have to improve remarkably to be a factor after his recent race at this meeting. Haus incidentally tells us that the steeplechase season here will commence on June 20th, with the stakes closing on the 16th. King Commander, belonging to Mickey Walsh of Southern Pines, seems to have more brio than others of this division and he is a prospect for the Georgetown over the beleagured big hedges and the Indian River. Pollys Jet Eligible to Christiana Turf ana: Pressmen covering this countryside meet will stage a golf tournament later in .the season. . . . A division of C. V. Whitneys string is active here. . . . Pollys Jet, as yet undefeated, is a candidate for the 0,000 added Christiana of five furlongs on June 22-at this course. . . . Natasha is eligible for the Delaware Oaks, but owner Woodward tells us she is a little the worse for wear at the moment. Pet Bullys half sister, Nimble Doll, may be a starter, ridden by the popular Willie Hartack. . . . Cerise Reine is a candidate for the 10,000 "new" New Castle. . . . The filly Huahine who won here the other day is out of the former Delaware Oaks winner, Nasophar. . . . Don Ross Greek Song has sired a nice two-year-old in Countermand. He was a New York winner but is slightly hors de combat because of being struck in the eye with a clod. . . . West Coasters advise that Swaps ran a big race on Memorial Day, beating a stablemate lengths and lengths. Nevertheless Eddie Arcaro wants another crack at him, probably on the theory Trim Destiny did not carry him fast enough in the Derby. . . . Mrs. Thourori and Ross have elite private training establishments here. . . . Attendance is uptrending* at this 1 rheet.. . . The Delaware Handicap will haye,. at least f * 0,000 m nominator and breeder awards, »
