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MAKING BRILLIANT COMEBACK Veteran Silvio Coucci One of Sensations of 1938 Racing Season. Valley Lass First of His Winners on Comeback Trail Hopes to Become a Trainer. BALTIMORE, Md., Dec. 3. There was a delayed finish to the second running of the Sagamore Handicap at Pimlico this year because Silvio Coucci, who rode Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilts Outdone to a surprise victory, couldnt find the winners circle. Outdone was the first horse home but the last to pull up before the magic circle where the pleased and anxious owner waited with officials for the arrival of the speedy horse and the jockey. Coucci, the rider from New York, who is staging a sensation. 1 comeback had been away from Maryland for several seasons and had to become reacquainted with the Maryland Jockey Club plant. However, he was in quite a few other winners circles in the past seven months, because in that time he has booted home many winners. QUIT RIDING. It was in 1931 that Coucci won his first race and began the riding career which has had its ups and downs, its share of good fortune and bad luck. More than a year ago he hit a slump so bad that he decided to give up riding forever. But forever wasnt long in his case and he simply couldnt stay away in spite of a valiant attempt. He went to Columbia University to study real estate, even did a little work in the business, but his heart wasnt in it. Horses, riding and racing come first with this boy from the Bronx, who made a name for himself as a jockey. Deciding to come back right, Coucci took off the few pounds he had collected he now rides at 111 or 112 and started to work out once more. He frankly admits that the luckiest, most thrilling day of his life was in May of this year when he won a race on Valley Lass at Hollywood Park. It was his first mount after many months on the ground and it was the first race of the first day, the gala opening of the California oval. FAIR GOLFER. Like several other well-known jockeys, Coucci plays a round of golf whenever he gets a chance he likes the game but says that he shoots only a fair score. When his riding days are over, Coucci would like to be a trainer, but he hopes that he has a long career of racing before him and that it will be years before he has to decide what hes going to do afterwards. With his recent experience away from racing in mind its a sure thing that next time hell string along with the sport which he loves and in which he feels so much at home.
