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Couldnt Help Becoming Rider, Willie Garner Says Five of Uncles Were Jockeys; Now Serving as Patrol Judge WATERFORD PARK, Chester, W. Va., June 9. — Moon-eyed kids haunt race tracks during training hours hoping to become jockeys but the majority are turned away. Seldom has opportunity been thrust down ones throat as in the case of Willie Garner, now serving as a patrol judge at Waterford Park. Willie, last of the riding Garners, didnt particularly care to become a jockey but as he puts it, "I couldnt help it." Five of Willies uncles gained stardom in the riding world, namely Mack, who rode the great Blue Larkspur in the late 20s and scored in the 1934 Kentucky Derby aboard Cavalcade, and Guy, who probably gained his greatest fame, while riding for the Aga Khan in France. Three other uncles, Skets, Lambert a.nd Harry, were also rated with the better riders of their day. Now back to Willie, who is still trim enough to don silks. After careful grooming and schooling, which was not particularly appreciated but accepted at the time, he came to the track in 1924 and rode the heights through a span that didnt end until 1953, when his legs went askew. He never rode a Kentucky Derby winner but saw action in nine of the Blue Grass classics and was astride Misstep, who finished second to Reigh Count in 1929. He believes Burning Blaze was the best thoroughbred he ever rode. "I thought I had a- Derby winner for sure but the inevitable happened, "Burning Blaze went wrong just before the classic and never raced again." Willie now happily married says, "I was lucky. Two days before the march down the aisle and short on the green I rode Shot Put to victory in the 0,000 added New York Handicap at Belmont Park. That was 1940 and was that 10 per cent welcome.".
