view raw text
* i, Inaugurate Jersey Season Tomorrow Thirteen Expected to Go Postward in Valley Forge Cap at Garden State Park Cy WILLIAM C. PHILLIPS GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J.. May .1.— Afield of 13 horses is anticipated for the 5,000 added Valley Forge Handicap that will feature the inaugural program of the New Jersey racing season this coming Saturday when Garden State Park launches a,25-day spring Imeeting that will continue through May 31. Calumet Farms Iron Liege arrived at the course by vah from Churchill Downs on Wednesday evening and word from trainer H. A. "Jimmy" Jones at Louisville indicates that the winner of last years Kentucky Derby will keep the Valley Forge assignment.. Iron Liege Is weighted at 126 pounds in the list arranged by racing secretary and haridicapper M. C. "Ty" Shear and will be required to concede from seven to 18 pounds to the rivals expected to oppose him. Jones intimated that Iron Liege would receive support in the 1 mile and 70-yard handicap from either Fabius or Pin-tor Lea, assigned 116 and 112 pounds, respectively. Saturday will mark the beginning of the 17th year of racing at Garden State Park, the first of the three modern and highly successful New Jersey racing plants. The racing will begin at 2:30 oclock Eastern Daylight Time each afternoon through the meeting and will be conducted six days a •week, eliminating the "dark. Mondays" of I previous season. Iron Liege, who listed the local Jersey Stakes among his 1957 triumphs, .will be ridden by Charles Burr. His last start was in the John B. Campbell Memorial Handicap at Bowie in. which he finished -a disappointing sixth. Prior to that he, finished I just a head behind Oligarchy as high-I weight in the Widener at Hialeah, and won the preceding McLennan Handicap under 124 pounds. In two earlier winter starts he finished second In both the Royal Palm and the Royal Polriciana Handicaps. Sharpsburg Big Danger at Weights Expected to be his closest rival by weight is R. E. Faircloths Sharpsburg, -who was vanned in by trainer Bill Cross Jr. from Laurel last, night. Sharpsburg is a former Calumet racer who was sold last autumn to run up a skein of five straight triumphs before finishing a nose behind One-Eyed King in the recent Lincoln Special. Other expected starters are Adele "L.: Rands Clem. 117; Mrs. J. R. H. Thourons Ben Lomond, 117; Cain Hoy Stables One-Eyed King, 116; Howell E. Jacksons Tick Tock, 115; J. D. Preeces Arion, 112; Wheatley Stables Gray Phantom, 112;. Victory Stables Sonny Dan, 110; C. C. Boshamers Gama. 109; C. M. Klines i Saim, 109, and R. O. J. Streubers Pylades, I [ 108. i ] [ Garden State Park has profited from its centralized position among the major eastern tracks in attracting numerous horses from rival areas for its stakes and feature ! races as support to the fine colony of some 1,100 thoroughbreds seasonally quartered on the grounds. Moist important of the stakes to be renewed during -the current meeting is the 0,000 added Jersey, won last year by Iron Liege, who competed in .the local fixture following a victory in the Kentucky Derby and a second in the Preakness. .The Jersey Stakes is to be run on Saturday, May 24, being situated on the calendar between the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. A total of 10,000 will be distributed in added money with eight stakes renewals. Following the opening day Valley Forge will be the 5,000 added Delaware Valley Stakes, to be decided on Saturday, May 10. It is a 6 furlongs, sprint, for three-year-olds. The Rancocas Stakes for two-year-olld fillies, will be renewed at 5 furlongs on Wednesday, May 14, for 5,000 added. To be run at later dates are the Betsy Ross, for three-year-old. fjllies; the Cherry Hill Stakes, for two-year-olds; the Colonial Handicap, for fillies arid mares, and the Camden Handicap.