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GOOD JOCKEYS ARE SCARCE Hawthorne, However, Expects Best Brigade of Riders in History of Old Stickney Track. The comparative scarcity of first rate jockeys has become the big problem in the operation of most race tracks in recent years. With an increasing number of tracks in operation, the good riders, even more than the good horses, have been spread too thin. Promising youngsters come up at the usual rate, but not fast enough. Hawthorne, which opens its thirty-one day racing season on May 23, seems certain to attract the best group of riders it has had in several years. There will be enough of the leading veterans on hand for the customers who do not like to take a chance with the jockey as well as the horse, and there will be several promising youngsters around who may start out on a streak of victories. Topping all the riding brigade are such veterans as Alfred Robertson, who is No. 1 rider for Mrs. F. C. Mars* Milky Way Farms Stable, and Eddie Arcaro, who is under contract to Warren Wrights Calumet Farm. Both the Milky Way and the Calumet barns will have their strongest divisions here for the entire meeting. Charley Corbett will be at Hawthorne with the Pelleteri horses, Leon "Buddy" Haas will accompany the T. C. Worden campaigners and the veteran Harry Richards is expected here to do the riding for the Shan-don Farm Stable. Last years leading jockey, Charles Stevenson, and the two who are fighting for top honors this season, Johnny Nolan and Dan Brammer, are slated to appear at the West Side track. One of the most promising of apprentices, Basil James, will be here with H. H. Cross and his large Tranquillity Farm Stable. N. L. Pierson, third in the national standings, will ride here for the Valdina Farm. Either Lester Balaski or Joe Renick will handle the thoroughbreds raced at Hawthorne by E. R. Bradley. Earl Porter and F. A. Smith are other leaders to come here. That favorite of two years ago, Paul Keester, will continue his battle to make riding weight at Hawthorne. Keester couldnt do anything wrong two years ago and even last year scored on 103 mounts. Engagements have been fewer and farther between for Keester this spring. But Chicago has always been the scene of his greatest success and at Hawthorne he will attempt to get going again. m
