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Wfwm Js . JOCKEY CHRIS ROGERS . 4 Necessity for Outdoor Work Brought Rogers Into Racing Handled Show Horses, Then ] Became Rider; Had Lincoln Road, Runner-up in 1958 CHURCHILL DOWNS, Louisville, Ky., May 1. — A serious illness at the age of 12 which prompted the family physician to prescribe outdoor work as an immediate requisite for the youngsters future health was responsible for Chris Rogers first experiences with thoroughbreds. Saturday, the native of Hamilton, Ontario will be astride Bayard Sharps Troilus in the 85th edition of the Kentucky Derby. Rogers was in the sixth grade when he was stricken with pneumonia and later, appendicitis. Other minor illnesses resulted in Rogers being unable to return to school for several months. The doctor suggested that the boy work outdoors that summer and Rogers, heeding the advice, gained employment as a hot walker on Fred Selkes nearby farm. Rogers quit school the following year in order to work full time. He broke yearlings and performed other chores at the Selke farm until he was old enough to ride. Takes Hallowells Advice During his tenure at the farm, he took a side job of showing horses in show rings, and while prancing a gaiter around the ring at a flossy show one night, he caught the eye of turfman H. A. Hallowell, who later took him aside and told him not to waste his talent on such stuff as show rings and to capitalize on his ability at a race track. So off he went to the races, starting at Long Branch, was scoreless there, but did ride his first winner, Bon Marche, on the Fourth of July in 1941. He won only three races that whole season, but in 1942 he piloted 62 to the charmed circle, and since then he has been rated as one of the leading riders in Canada, and, considering his limited riding in the United States, in this country, too. Rogers has been getting good mounts because he is a careful, skillful, competent saddlesmith and with enough verve and daring to make him popular with trainers and public alike. Until Troilus, his best known horse was Royal Governor, with whom he won the Widener. Gives Credit to Agent Rogers is an unassuming lad and was at once refreshing and frankly honest when he said, "I think most of my success has been due to my agent, Jimmie Cotter. Hes had my book since I started in the United States, although he does not always accompany me north to Canada. In any event, Cotter not only has always looked out for my professional interests but for my personal interest as well and his wisdom and common sense and vast knowledge of people Cotter is a shrewd judge of people and character has made it possible for me to mature into being a good citizen as well as, I hope, being a good race rider." Although only 34 and a recognized top rider for the last five years, Rogers is no stranger to the Kentucky Derby. He rode his first Derby mount in 1955, a horse called Blue Lem who had the misfortune to come along in Swaps year, and the best Blue Lem could do was finish eighth. But last year, Rogers came to national attention as the rider of the 46.90-1 shot, Lincoln Road, and he gave his very best, but it wasnt quite good enough, with Lincoln Road finishing second, beaten but half a length, by Calumet Farms Tim Tam. The record shows he is getting closer. Perhaps Troilus will give him his first Kentucky Derby. This is his major ambi-] tion, and his second is to become the first living rider ever to win four Queens Plates up in Canada.
