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ii„. ■■ immt*a p" * ~" 1 Delaware By Charles Hatton Response to Distaff Big 3 Gratifying Novel Methods of Publicizing Events * High Voltage Looms Choice for Oaks DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 7.— As the tolerant readers of this space must know, we have more than a languid interest in filly-and-mare events. ii„. ■■ Perhaps Perhaps it it is is because because we we remem- Perhaps Perhaps it it is is because because we we remem- remember when breeders took unction if one of their broodmares produced a filly, when yearlings of the sex were considered "a drug on the market," and when there was a tendency to plow them under. - Fortunately for bloodstock breeding, this faintly oriental idea never caught on. The fillies now have been emancipated, so to speak, by the racing associations, Which which offer offer more more adequate adequate oppor- immt*a p" * ~" 1 Which which offer offer more more adequate adequate oppor- opportunities for them in competition. This is important as a selection of the broodmares of tomorrow. And it is to the sporting Stanton clubs very great credit that it now has emphasized their significance with the "Distaff Big Three," which totals an estimated quarter-million dollars. The events comprising this integrated continuity are the 5,000-added Oaks, exclusively for three-year-olds, of course, at a mile and a furlong; the "new" New Castle of 5,000 added for three-year-olds and upward at a mile and a sixteenth, and the climactic Delaware Handicap of at least 10,-000 added for fillies-and-mares over a mile and a quarter. Delaware Attracts 156 Nominations They are to be presented, respectively, on June 18, June 25 and July 2. And it goes almost without saying they will bring to Delaware Park every top-class mare in the country. The response of horsemen has been most gratifying, for no fewer than 156 nominations, a record number, were made for the Delaware Handicap. * Among others made eligible are Willie duPonts Parlo, the Phipps High Voltage who is eligible to all three stakes, the Kentucky Oaks winner Lalun; Calumets brilliiant Miz Clementine, Assaults sister On Your Own, the Jeffords Hibernia a. recent winner here, Gallorettes daughter Mile. Lorette, the stretch runner Rosemary B., Allie Reubens distinguished Queen Hopeful, the Dan Rices mudder Cerise-Reine, "Sonny" Whitneys improved Dispute, George Wide-ners Evening Out, and the 1954 winner Gainsboro Girl. Apropos its "Distaff Big Three," the Delaware Park management recently conducted a poll among turfmen and the Fourth Estate to determine who, in the opinion of the majority, was the outstanding American race mare, exclusive of those now in training. Miss Woodford, who was trained by Jimmy Rowe, drew the most votes for first placing, but on the basis of a point system the honors went to Gallorette. Rowe quit the Dwyer Brothers over Miss Woodford, refusing to "sweat her for the brass" in the unfeeling way they insisted. This poll naturally focused a great deal of attention on Delaware Parks new project. To supplement it, or foster more interest in it, the management has been naming various of its overnighters for the mares originally listed on the ballot. There is here, in the very plush foyer of the Turf Club, an arresting portrait of Yo Tambien, for instance. And several days ago, one of the purses was named for this obscurely bred but, nonetheless, classy filly of another generation in American racing. Yesterday, there was the Next Move, named for Alfred Vanderbilts engaging filly. And on a recent card something called the Pan Zareta, honoring the crack sprinter of plebeian Texas origin, who at one time or another beat all the best horses from Juarez to Canada. *" Ninety-One Sophomores on Roster It is interesting that of the 156 nominees for the upcoming Delaware, fully 91 are three -year-olds. There long has been a superstition among racing men that a three-year-old is at a disadvantage in midsummer trying to beat the more mature "pros." And yet five of that age won the Delaware when it still was known as the New Castle, among them Mrs. Whitakers resolute little Grecian Queen. The Delaware is a handicap, however, which is presumed to compensate for a lack of full development. And the five three-year-olds winners of the stake in the past carried from 108 to 114 pounds. Of the older mares who were successful, Mar-ica carried 125, Busanda and Kiss Me Kate, 126. It is and considerable differential, though we know people who insist that weights importance is exaggerated.. The three-year-old fillies who are expected to be pointed for the Delaware triple are led by High Voltage, voted the champion of her age and sex division a year ago. Unlike some other two-year-old titleholders, of both sexes, High Voltage has not let down her many followers thus far this season. Recently, at Belmont Park, she accounted for the searching Coaching Club American Oaks of a mile and three furlongs, en route repudiating a theory in some quarters she would fail to stay. At the writing, this lovely gray daughter of Ambiorix would seem the only natural preference for the Delaware Oaks, which is expected to gross 0,000, and she could be a factor in the other two of the "Big Three." Turf ana: Of all things, there now is a measure in the Delaware Legislature which would require visiting portrait photographers to obtain a bill of health from the state board before being permitted to pursue their profession here. Sounds as if someone wants a nice little monopoly rather than competitive free enterprise. . . . Under the terms of the forthcoming Saturdays Leonard Richards, Westward Ho would carry 126, Saratoga and Thinking Cap, 119; Racing Fool, 116, and Little Dell. Alibhai Lashes and Blazing Count, 114. . . ,
