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Gross to Be Cited By Jockeys7 Guild insurance Executive to Be. Feted for Part in Arranging Master Policy for Riders JAMAICA, L. I., N. Y., Aug. 22. Maurice R. Gross, prominent insurance executive who has played a major role in arranging the current master insurance policy covering jockeys throughout the United States, will be cited by the riders for his work in their behalf at the annual dinner, dance and show of the Jockeys Guild next month. The announcement was made by directors of the Guild here Saturday, who said Gross will be guest of honor at the affair, scheduled to take place at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Saturday evening, September 26. He will be presented with a plaque expressing the appreciation of the riders. Gross, who has been closely associated with racing since the insurance first went into effect back in 1941, will join a select group when he receives the accolade of the jockeys. Previously honored were Judge James E. Dooley, president of Narragansett Park, last year; J. Samuel Perlman, publisher of this newspaper, 1951; Marshall Cassidy, executive secretary of The Jockey Club1950; Dr. Alexander Kaye, the riders physician and advisor, 1949, and Alfred G. Vanderbilt, 1948. Turf Association Dates to 1940 Gross had no previous contact with the turf before 1940, when he became interested in obtaining insurance coverage for race riders. He was instrumental in negotiating for a master policy for the Jockeys Guild from Lloyds of London, which protects members of the Guild riding at every track in the country, including state and county fair meetings. An associate of John C. Paige and Co., general insurance brokers of New York, Boston and Los Angeles, Gross was approached in 1940 by Lou Smith, vice-president and executive manager of Rockingham Park, who was interested in obtaining insurance for the riders at his track. Although statistical information on the accident rate among jockeys was lacking, Gross managed to secure limited insurance with Lloyds for Smith. Thus introduced to the difficulty of insuring riders, Gross discussed the project with Marshall Cassidy, then director of racing at Hialeah, who favored the idea but insisted on including steeplechase riders and exercise boys in the policy. With the assistance of Cassidy and Smith, Gross finally was issued a policy by Lloyds, which first went into effect at the Hialeah meeting on February 16, 1941. The following day apprentice Joe Gian-gaspro died of injuries received in a spill several days earlier, and on February 18, the first check for the death benefit under the insurance plan was mailed to his beneficiaries. Other tracks were quick, to join the insurance program, which calls for individual contracts between each association Continued on Page Fifty 1 ; : ; . , Maurice R. Gross to Be Cited By Jockeys Guild September 26 Continued from Page Three and the Jockeys Guild, covered by the master policy. Terms of the policy provide for death and dismemberment benefits, hospital and medical bills and weekly indemnities. With all TJ. S. tracks now participating in the plan, Gross is now mainly active in handling and expediting claims. A native of Hartford, Conn., Gross, 52, studied business administration at Boston University. He has been associated with his present firm since 1927. In addition to his business and work with racing, Gross is chairman of the Society of Founders which supports the new Tufts College Institution for Children with Cleft Palate. He recently presented Tufts with 5,000 collected through private subscription to launch research, into the affliction. He and his wife, Deana, who have been married 24 years, make their home in Boston.
