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New England By Fred Galiani Joseph Leone Faced With Important Decision Must Pick Rider for Rockcastle in Special Contreras and Lane Have Both Handled Star LINCOLN DOWNS, Lincoln, R. I., May 8.— It is less than two weeks away from the Lincoln Special, first big race of the local year with its 0,000 purse, and I owner Joseph Leone has yet to form a decision, one which will make one of two jockeys quite unhappy. His announcement, which is being awaited, concerns whether Jorge Contreras or Warren Lane will have the leg up on his strapping Rockcastle in the Special. Contreras rode Rockcastle in his first two starts here since arriving from Florida, then was replaced by Lane when the Chilean rider was suspended for 10 days. During that time Rockcastle finally attained his peak and came up with two winning races. Now Leone is in a dilemma. Contreras also rode Rockcastle as a three-year-old when he won the Yankee Handicap and has captured numerous stakes in his five years in the U.S., while Lane, his career interrupted for two years, is back in top form. Naturally, both want to handle Rockcastle in the Special, because it looks like the Fervent horse has an excellent chance to win the 0,000 pot. Lane, who served in the replacement role, looks at it philosophically. "Of course I want to ride Rockcastle," he said in the jockeys room before going out to win the first race on Titian Maid Tuesday, "since I rode him in his last two winning races. But Jorge has been working for the man all along and still exercises him in the mornings. When he got set down, he helped me get the mount on Rockcastle. Naturally, Ill be disappointed about not riding Rockcastle, but after all, you have to be a sport about it. Only One Man on a Horse "Rockcastle is in the best form now," continued Lane, "and he is getting better with every race. Hes not a heavy headed horse to handle." Since two guys cant ride one horse at the same time, none of them will be chagrined when Leone does make up his mind. But that is the way it goes. I do not imagine Dave Erb was overjoyed at the prospect of losing the mount on the Derby winner, Iron Liege, when Gen. Duke was scratched. But that is the way it goes in the profession of riders. x As far as another rider is concerned, he is reversing the advice of Horace Greeley as 22-year-old Bob Gaff-glione is making his first riding appearance in the east this season, after six years of campaigning in his native Nebraska, Chicago, St. Louis and other points. Gaff-glione pronounced Jaf alone started riding at the age of 13 in quarter horse races and on the bush circuit. He did not have much of a chance to escape a race track career, since his grandfather owned and trained a stable, which since his death has been taken over by Bobs father. Gaffglione started riding in Nebraska and lost his bug in 1952. He has been handled by such good trainers as J. D, Mikel and Benny Creech and was brought to Lincoln by Clyde Locklear. A recent arrival, he has had only a few mounts, has won one race and finished third three times. But the other day he thought he must have been back in a quarter horse race. Riding Lord Rush, he rushed his mount up along the rail from last place to first, and then retreated just as rapidly to wind up where he started. But he is young and entitled to mistakes. Gaffglione stands five feet, three inches and can do 109 pounds. Even that light weight does not suit him and he hopes to snip off a few more pounds. He has had two setbacks in his career, breaking a leg in 1952 and injuring his shoulder in 1956. Bob recalls riding Ellis Farms Little Pache, recent winner of the Bed O Roses Handicap at Jamaica, at Washington Park last year, but also recalls vividly that he did not win with her. Although his stay in the area has been brief, he says that he likes New England so he will probably be around for awhile. His engagements are being handled by Bill McKay. He is the only one of his family in the east, his parents, two brothers and two sisters staying at their Omaha home. His father owns the Huntley Wrecking Company, which, he relates proudly, is the largest such company in the state of Nebraska. Motor Line Image of Sire Bimelech Dave Harrison, patrol judge at Suffolk Downs and an official at other New England tracks, checked in from Miami where he spent the winter. . . . Viewing Motor Line in the paddock the other day, valet Sammy Steele, a crack racerider in his day, remarked the colt was a spitting image of his daddy Bimelech. . . . Johnny Gagnon, "the Black Cat of Chicoutimi" when he starred with the Montreal Canadiens with such immortals as Howie Morenz and Aural Joliat, is a daily visitor at the races and gets around with the same lightning speed that made him a crack forward in his hockey days. John is the head scout for the Providence Reds and also spies for the New York Rangers. Billy Ames, Narragansetts publicity major domo, came over from the Pawtucket track for the afternoon. • . . Dan Chappell, president of the Florida thorough- Centinued on Fag* Forty Nine NEW ENGLAND By FRED GALIANI Continued from Page four bred breeders, and Bill Charles Jr., former secretary of the New Jersey and Florida Division of the HBPA, are both expected in these parts shortly for the opening of the local dog track. Chappell and Charles are now officers of the Greyhound Owners Benevolent Association. . . . Vincent De An-gelis, hotel owner from Flushing, L. I., journeyed up Tuesday for an afternoon of the races and had as his guest Irene Kul-sea of Everett, Mass.
