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VESTER R. WRIGHT— Will saddle the G and G Stables Big Heart and Pernie Lee in the Northwest Lions Purse at the Detroit Race Course today. Robert DeStefano Doing Well as Apprentice Rider Son of Vaudevillians Has Booted Fifteen Winners at Waterford WATERFORD PARK, Chester, W. Va.. June 22.— Robert DeStefano, 19-year-old apprentice jockey with 15 winners to his credit at Waterford Park, is apt to become a headliner in his profession. In a sense it is to be expected. His parents, Florence and Anthony DeStefano, were top-notch vaudevillians in the late 20s and early 30s. They featured a tap dance routine that landed them in the Palace, the goal of the two-a-day performer. Born in New York City, the young DeStefano succumbed to the lure of the turf at an early age. A friend of the family introduced him to Preston Burch, trainer of the powerful Brookmeade Stable. After a period of time spent at Brookmeade Farm, outside of Upperville, Va., learning the rudiments of riding, the lad started his career. On April 10, 1953, came his "big" day, the occasion of piloting his first winner — Brookmeades Top News, at Jamaica. At present DeStefano is under lease to J. H. Clark, turfman from Lexington, Ky., represented here with a modest assortment of racers. It is just possible that the promising reinsman will go from this spot to New York. He was sent here expressly for educational purpos.es. His bookings are handled by the well known former bantam weight world champion boxer Harry Jeffra
