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New England By Fred Galiani • Warren Lane Rider Over Both Flat and Jumps Had Only One Fall in 60 Mounts Over Fences Plans to Remain in New England All Season LINCOLN DOWNS, Lincoln, R. I., May 11.— Warren Lane is a serious, confident, ambitious young rider and is not the least bit afraid to depart from the normal course of events to further his aims. That was evident in 1952 when, after a year of riding on the flat, he switched to steeple-chasing. Ordinarily a jockey only does that when he has trouble making weight. But neither was the case when Lane made his move. "I knew I needed a lot of experience riding, and I thought that riding jumpers was one way to get it," he says. More about his chasing activities later. This is Lanes first appearance on the New England circuit, and he already has raced over a score of winners. Breaking into an established racing wheel is not the easiest thing to do for a rider, but once he gets rolling and shows he has the ability, the calls come flocking. Lane is starting to get some recognition from local trainers. Now 24 years eld, the dark-haired, light-skinned Lane hails from Neward, Del., a furlong or so from Delaware Park. He first rode at the Camden, S. C, hunt meet when he was 17, piloting two horses in flat races to launch his career, which he did sketchily at first. In 1950 he got his license and rode at Delaware Park, but he only handled four or five mounts. The following year he came back and finally broke his maiden on Capt. Boudoir at Laurel on April 6. Lane finished out the year in New Jersey, Maryland and performed part of the winter at Tropical. The following season he returned as a jumping rider and rode almost the entire season over, the fences in New York. Lone Hurdle Mishap at Delaware Asked whether he found jumping races more dangerous than the flats, Lane replied: "I dont think so. I rode 60 horses over fences, and fell only once. That was at Delaware Park and the horse was dead tired. Flat racing — I cant count so high that I can recall how many times Ive been in spills." Fencing may have given Lane the experience he desired, and it must have built up his biceps carrying all the lead in the saddle pads. Lane was hitting the scales at 102 pounds, and he recalls riding in a chase one time when his mount had to carry 161 pounds. He did well in the through-the-field line, winning seven races that year, although he was disqualified out of one of them. Seven winners do not seem like a lot, but it is when you consider the relatively few opportunities afforded such riders. He might have been doing excellently at jumping, but in November of 1952 he married Sally Searing, of Valley Stream, L. I. Whatever ideas Warren had about the non-dangerous aspects of steeplechasing, did not coincide with those of the new Mrs. Lane and thus he gave up being a jump rider. Candidly, it was hardly her idea, admits Lane. Lanes career was halted for two years, from Janu-, ary 1954 to January 1956, when he became a part of , the Army. He served as a cook and baker, but at least eliminated a lot of traveling, as he never left the state of Maryland during his term with Uncle Sam. In 1956, he resumed his riding career, performing on the Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey circuits. In November of last year, he fell and broke both his collar-bones in a spill at Pimlico, which put him on the sidelines until this spring. Lane likes New England and intends to stay for the season. "The more summer approaches, the prettier it gets around here," was his capsule critique. Warren has his family of the Missus and their two boys, Warren Jr. and Daniel, here and will bring up his trailer next week. Still a lightweight rider at 108 pounds, Lane stands five feet, three inches, and can whip right and left handed. He should see plpnty of action as the local season rolls on and if he gets a yen to try fences again, he can always get plenty of that at the many horse shows in the sector. McLaughlin Arrives From Maryland Another popular rider on the beat has returned. Dick McLaughlin, the Haverhill hurricane, arrived from a successful season in Maryland and will swing into action Monday. Dickie, who won a number of the stakes here last year, will have his engagements handled by Robby Robertson. . . . Paul Rogalli, a member of the precision film control camera crew, is coming along nicely in St. Josephs Hospital, Providence, where he was rushed with an abdominal attack Wednesday night. This was practically an all race-track operation. Rogalli was rushed to the hospital by yours truly, placing judges Paul Asprinio and Jimmy Picarillo and telegraph operator Johnny Sullivan. In the hospital he is under the care of Dr. Eddie Asprinio, Pauls son. Jack Purcell, one of the turfs 10 best-dressed men, was a visitor on Friday on his regular tour in the interest of the Puett Gate Company, of which he is president. Jack expounded on a number of improvements that are being installed on the companys gates. . . . Leon Santores Helfast, who beat Ricci Tavi and others at Garden State in the middle of the week, will be returned here for the Lincoln Special on closing day. . . . Joe Jaffe made his first appearance at the track since undergoing surgery by Dr. Foster C. True for a double hernia at the Osteopathic Hospital in Providence.
