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— The Mast Seeking Indian River Chase Georgetown Victor Out to Complete Famous Delaware Double; Jam Is Threat Again By PALMER HEAGERTY Staff Correspondent DELAWARE PARK, Stanton, Del., June 26. — The steeplechase phase of Delaware Parks attractive 33-day session Comes to a close tomorrow afternoon with the fourteenth running of the 0,000 added Indian River Handicap, an event of about two and one-half miles over the gruelling stakes course. The 16-jump fixture has attracted six entrants, including Mrs. Esther duPont Weirs The Mast, who will endeavor to handle topweight of 161 pounds and complete a Georgetown-Indian River double, a feat accomplished in the past by only Rouge Dragon, Elkridge and Crooning Wind. The Mast, leading aspirant for the 1952 jumping championship, will have an entry mate in Cherwell, who will race under 137 pounds. Opposing the tandem will be the following: James F. McHughs Jam, 152; Lawrence W. Jennings Navy Gun, 149; Rokeby Stables American Way, 140; and Mill River Stables Monkey Wrench, 134 pounds. With three consecutive stakes victories to his credit — the Meadow Brook, Temple Gwathmey and Georgetown — The Mast shapes up a solid choice, with Pat Smith-wick agains scheduled to guide his destinies. The five-year-old Annapolis gelding has amassed earnings of 9,500 in recent outings while completely outclassing his opposition, including Mrs. Ogden Phipps, 1950-51 champion, Oedipus. His stablemate, Cherwell, figures to be of little assistance to The Mast, having been unsuccessful in three starts this season. Jam Winner of Two Stakes Jam, winner of the International and Charles L. Appleton handicaps earlier in the year, was a bang-up second in the Georgetown after having bobbled badly on the flat while crossing the main strip. While that could conceivably have deterred him a bit, it would be difficult to rate him above The Mast, even with the additional distance. Earle Phelps will again be his rider. Navy Gun has raced well in each of his four starts this season, winning the Corinthian Handicap and finishing once second and twice third in his other appearances. In the Georgetown he finished in a dead heat for third with Crooning Wind and was beaten about a half dozen lengths. He carries the same weight tomorrow, as compared to a four-pound increase for The Mast and a one pound increase for Jam. He will again be ridden by Frank D. "Dooly" Adams. A frequent contestant in previous Indian River runnings is American Way, whose lone stakes success over the difficult course came in the 1948 Georgetown. He has been out but twice this year and his most recent engagement saw him 16 lengths behind The Mast in the Temple Gwathmey. He seems well treated under 140 pounds and, under Tommy Field, could prove the surprise of the field. Monkey Wrench, after having been idle for almost two years, was a winner here in 3:48% over the regular course. He will be ridden the Indian River by Elwood Carter. A notable absentee from this seasons Indian River is Kent Millers Elkridge, who established what is believed to be a record in winning five runnings of the event. The son of Mate— Best by Test, who was bred by Joseph F. Flanagan, a Delaware Park steward, accounted for the main share of the purse in 1942-45-48-49 and 50, completing the Georgetown-Indian River sweep the last two seasons.
