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Delaware By Charles .Hatton When Does a Firm Track Become Hard? The Question Arises at Delaware Park Grass Surface Is Carefully, Properly Tended DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 1. There is something about the times of Delaware Parks turf course events which piques the most casual observers curiosity. Several days ago, it was duly noted that the distances of the grass events were precisely as advertised, and not an approximation as in the past. On opening day, Akbar Khan pared two full seconds off the old mile and a sixteenth mark, winning the Brandywine Handicap in a lively 1:42. On the second day, yesterday, the 0,000 plater,. Sky-sweeper, who had been wisely withdrawn from the Brandywine to await a less demanding turf contest at the same distance, won in 1:44, which time also bettered the former mark. That these times are authentic is attested by the electric teletimer. To a man up a tree, this all baffles explanation. Perhaps the old distances were very precise indeed. Perhaps Akbar Khan and Skysweeper are the greatest grass horses since Gladia- teur. Perhaps the going is on the adamant side. Perhaps even it is a combination of all three, in greater or less degree. At any rate, our veteran chart caller, Palmer Hea-gerty, has described the course as "hard" for the first two programs. That is our own inexpert view. And in saying that we realize most track managers and superintendents recoil at the word "hard." Anybody who uses it is at once a blasphemer, a tory and in line for recognition as the opposition whip. So we are not surprised that the conscientious Delaware Park track su- -perintendent Clarke Pardee should take mild exception, He says, "I challenge the propriety of a chart maker or columnist describing the turf course as hard unless he has established that fact by something more than the time of a race. The Delaware Park course has not been hard at any time during the meeting or the pre-meeting schooling. It will not become hard at any time during the meeting. Excellent Sprinkling System in Use "With our excellent sprinkling system, and the expense and care we lavish on it, we have a good control over the condition of the turf course as we do of the flat track." Pardee goes on to say that he believes "our turf course will become known as one of the fastest anywhere." As we see it, the condition of the innerfield surface, whether "firm" or "hard" is a matter of degree. In certain circumstances, "firm" is only a nice term for "hard." Across the Atlantic, it is not unusual for the going on some courses, even carefully watered Ascot, to become downright hard and remain so all season. None of the press, nor any of the racing authority, have the slightest qualms about saying so. But over here, "hard" is anathema. We did not mean to say the grass course at Delaware would sting a trotter. And we know it is properly tended. Nevertheless we think the designation appropriate. Turf ana: "Casting" for the field in the Delaware Oaks, first of the local clubs lavish "Distaff Big Three," continues in the Acorn up at Belmont. Lori-El, a visitor from Chicago for theGNYAs proud mile feature, is among those who are definitely coming to Stanton. . . . Pillow Talk has a brother named Slick-away for old Fort Springs who was not two until May 19. She also has a likeable half sister by the French Ambiorix who is a yearling and their dam, Hipparete, is due to Prince John. . . .Willie duPont was out to see Chevations seasonal bow. The big chestnut was very unobtrusive while his stablemate Passyunk tried vainly to save the day, but may be expected to improve with seasoning. . . . Rare Treat was returned to Belmont headquarters of the Erdenheim horses. La Verite Expected for Oaks The Nasrullahs have "the defects of their qualities." That same intense awareness which makes them such keen competitors when the mood is upon them also comes to a certain spookiness. . . . A. F. Walls clipper rigged filly La Verite is expected, by Gil Haus, to join the Delaware Oaks field. Shook up Federal Hills admirers outrunning him at Gulfstream in her lone claim to fame? . . . One hears some caustic criticism of the race bus company procedure of routing vehicles which depart before the last race to Seaview, where virtually all passengers change before proceeding to Wilmington. . . . Incorruptible connoisseurs assure us the quality of summer sales yearlings is up. Indications are the overall purse distribution will show another gain this year, and it is under the impelling force of this incentive bx-eeding progresses. The circumstance Aqueduct is in disuetude, and that the Delaware chase season opens with the Tom Roby on June 10, finds the local club welcoming the fencers earlier than usual. The hedge course has been thrown open for schooling at appointed times. . . . The ladles will be interested more fashion shows are planned for June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Learn it was Victor Hugo who thought up the device of making evexy sentence a paragraph. Many contemporary writers will agree he had something there. ... By Thunder II., an English representative of the 56 International, is here with a prospect he will start in the Sussex, which closes on June 24. . . . Pentagon that is C. V. Whitneys sister raced The Doge and now has a nippy sprinter by him in the filly Salix, who is out of a maxe by Mahmoud, maternal grandsire of Gallant Man and Masaka. The persistent Clem, who stretched Iron Lieges neck in the Jersey, is coming Jiere for the Leonard Richards of 5,000 added next Saturday. . . . Amoret, who may accompany Princess Turia postward ixi the Delaware, is an arrival from Garden State. . . . Many positively drooled when Bunch - of - News and Deebol completed a ,694.20 Double Friday. The odds should have been greater. Bunch-of-News is owned by the new Moorings Stable of Mrs. E. H. duPont, who is 83 and is Mrs. Harry Lungers mothex. The Fairymant gelding is the first horse she bred, the first she ever owned, and wa making his first start.
