view raw text
WRIGHT STAYS ON WEST COAST Will Ride for Ten Days at Bay Meadows Before Returning to Churchill Downs. SAN BRUNO, Calif., April 13. Americas leading jockey, Wayne Wright, has received permission from his contract employer, Joseph E. Widener, to ride at Bay Meadows for ten days before he returns to Kentucky to take Brevity on his important journey. Wright informed his agent Basil Smith today to obtain mounts for him during the Bay Meadows session, and is expected to draw choice assignments in the early stakes, including the ,000 opening handicap and the ,000 added Fashion Stakes to be run on the first Saturday. Wright broke in on western tracks and I feels at home with his old friends. Many I of the local riders were classmates of the star when he was an Agua Caliente apprentice learning his trade. The lad hails from Rexburg, Idaho. He was discovered by H. D. "Cookie" Russell, who gave him his start on the Mexican course. Later at Tanforan, Baroni, just returned from Chicago, was advised to watch the youngster. He put the glasses on him for three days, saw the "cotton top" dart through narrow openings, and although the boy was not riding many winners, decided this was the lad for him. Baroni bought the papers from Russell, and taking Wright on the eastern swing, made a sensation of him. Wideners big New York stable needed a first class booter. Wright was chosen and a large price was given to obtain him. His riding record for the past three years follows: Purses Year. Mts. 1st 2nd 3rd P.C. Won 1934 919 174 154 114 .19 87,185 1935 1,012 193 155 149 .19 295,500 1936 211 34 30 27 ,16 1150,000 fApproximate. The boy expects to have the biggest season in his career and with a head start through victories in the Santa Anita Derby at the same place and Florida Derby, seems well on his way to a new money mark. In Brevity he has a splendid mount for the Kentucky Derby and other three-year-old fixtures.
