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TWO STARS REACH TANFORAN Jockeys Longden and Coucci to Be ; Seen in Action at California Track. Interesting Data Concerning Both Riders Longden Began at Agua Caliente, Coucci Eastern Development. SAN BRUNO, Calif., Nov. 21 Two star eastern jockeys will join the Tanforan parade Tuesday to pit their skill against accomplished western reinsmen. Johnny Longden, present leader in the American reinsmen race, will arrive from Maryland in time to don silks. Silvio Coucci, hero of the Bronx, likewise transfers his work to the western turf. Coucci comes from Maryland, where he rode for Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt during the fall campaign. . Veterans both and long toppers in their chosen professions of booting thoroughbreds around the course, Longden and Coucci will lend lustre to the warfare on the Tanforan front. Longden holds one of the fattest contracts given last season to any rider. Employed by the Wheatley Stable and Belair Stud, for whom Jim Fitzsimmons is the trainer, it was Longdens privilege to ride in practically every major stake offered on the eastern turf. Reason for him hurrying out here can be supplied by the statement of his agent, Basil Smith: AFTER 1938 CHAMPIONSHIP. "Johnny is hot after that American championship this year. He now holds what amounts to a safe lead. Hes about twenty winners in front, but he wants to take no chances of losing this lead so, will keep active instead of taking a good rest. His stable does not plan much more campaigning before Florida opens, and Johnny can fill in the time out in this neck of tlhe woods. During Santa Anita youll see him in harness for Tom Bragg." Longdens total for 1938 goes beyond the j 200 mark. An apprentice boy named Sammy Williams stands in second place, with a I chance to overhaul the veteran, and fast-! coming Johnny Adams, closing like a tor-j j nado, is now within hailing distance of the j j leader. Adams won the title a year ago. I ; Hes determined to make it two in a row if I possible. Thus Tanforan will have two of three leaders fighting it out down through the home stretch of the waning season. Longden first blossomed as a rider at Caliente. For three or four years he hung around the Mexican border track trying to get started. Employed first by the Midnight Follies Stable of Willard Sloan, San Francisco sportsman, Longden finally hit his stride under the management of Hill Hart-man. Later he joined Bert Baroni, and here at Tanforan continued the success he started in Mexico. RIDES FOR FITZSIMMONS. Going east for the first time he rode well enough. He continued his improvement on, New England tracks when employed by Al! Tarn, rode in Florida and finally performed so well that Jim Fitzsimmons offered the lad the choice plum with the Wheatley Stable. Johnnys been in the Fitzsimmons employ ever since and performed in great fashion. 1 Longden hails from Central Canada. He j came up in the school as did Red Pollard, Georgie Woolf, Noel Richardson and Bobby Jones. About the time Johnny Longden first attempted to make the grade below the border, a flashing apprentice rocketed to fiery heights. That year Hank Mills looked like the fairest prospect in years. In mid-Caliente season Mills was sold to an eastern stable, departing for immediate delivery. Right into his shoes stepped one Silvio Coucci, eighty-five pounder, owned by Johnny Coburn and tutored by George Coburn. Coucci made the western turf forget all about Mills. While Mills sold for ,000 at the end of the Caliente campaign, the papers on Coucci -were gobbled up by Greentree Stable Mrs. Whitney for 5,000. Coucci made good on the big time. For several seasons he enjoyed holding a position among the leading riders. Then he went stale, and it seemed his riding days were over. He lost all semblance of form. SUCCESSFUL COMEBACK. In April, 1938, the well known trainer, Walter Taylor, persuaded Coucci to try his luck once more. Coucci first had to boil off weight. Getting down to correct poundage he began in earnest his inarch on the comeback trail. Hollywood Park saw him again gaining public approval. The first thing you know, the "Great Coucci" was back, fairly flying. Coucci rode a day or two this fall at Bay Meadows when Vanderbilt summoned him East. A big job fell to his lot. Now that Pimlico Vanderbilts pet closed its gates Coucci is again free to ride where he pleases, and hes chosen Tanforan. Couccis been at Tanforan before, having served part of his apprenticeship in this sector. He likes San Francisco and is happy to be back on the Coast, to which he owes so much.
