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GROHS PROMISING APPRENTICE Astride Five Winners During the First Two Days of Meeting at Fairmount Park. COLLINSVILLE, 111., May 10— Apprentice Otto Grohs, 17-year-old lad who hails from El Monte, Calif., is already well on the way to leadership over the other apprentice reinsmen performing at Fairmount Park. Grohs, who piloted five of his eleven mounts to victories during the first two days of the current meeting, bids fair to follow in the footsteps of Willie Lee Johnson and Earl | Dew, now veteran riders, who rode with phe-.nomenal success here as apprentices during the 1937 and 1938 seasons, respectively. Grohs is a tall, lanky lad and tips the scales at 100 pounds. He is in capable hands, being developed by L. W. Kidd, Idaho turfman, who holds a contract on the boy. Kidd brought out and coached to their ultimate successes Basil James and Allen Gray. Both have developed into prominent riders of national standing. Kidd did not hurry Grohs along after taking him in hand, believing that the lad showed promise of much riding ability. The boy exercised horses for a considerable time before being allowed the thrill of riding his initial race. Grohs first winning mount was at Seattle, Wash., August 31, 1938, when he had the leg up on Verda Flower, a maiden three-year-old.
