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rfSM * - JHSand New England By Fred Galiani Roser Making First Long New England Stand Had Large Following Among River Downs Fans Injured, But Insists on Filling Engagements SUFFOLK DOWNS, East Boston, Mass., May 6.— Swinging into action on Tuesday was Gilbert Roser, 34-year-old pilot from Cincinnati, Ohio. Roser is mak ing his first prolonged stand on the New England circuit, although he was here a couple of years ago when he rode Clermont in a turf stake. While his presence will be welcomed, as any new face in this area, the lean, blonde - haired youth will more likely be sorely missed at River Downs. What Shoemaker is to the West Coast and Hartack to New Jersey. Roser is at River Downs. For three years in a row he has been the leading rider at the neat little plant on the banks of the Ohio River. If propinquity to water helps Roser ride winners, he should do well here. The Atlantic Ocean is only a short way away and in view from Suffolk Downs. Roser, who does 110 pounds and is an accomplished pilot, has been riding since 1942, although there is a gap right after this point spent for two and a half years in the Army. The Cincinnatian is one of the legion of riders who dont make headlines often, but is a steady working jockey. Actually, Roser is on the comeback trail. On Sept. 2 last year, at Hawthorne he was on a horse called Peckerwood. His mount lunged through the gate, with an assistant starter hanging on to him. and tossed the jockey. "Somehow or other I went off, looking like a clown I guess." he recalled. "I landed on my neck and broke it.* For six months Roser wore a brace. Before coming here he rode a couple of horses at Gulfstream Park so that his real test will come at this meet when he resumes riding steadily. He has given first call to trainer Bill Gateman, which is all in his favor. Gateman has a good, hard-knocking stable and sends out a lot of running horses. Rode Neji in Flat Race Roser had to stop and think when asked what was the best horse he rode. At first he answered Clermont, with whom he won the Illinois Owners Handicap and Buckeye Handicap in 1957. Both events being races of solid monetary value, they naturally came to mind first. But then, after a brief recollection, he changed. "Best horse I ever rode was Neji," he said. It wasnt in a steeplechase, of course. He was a four-year-old and we were in a mile race over the grass at Monmouth Park. We finished fourth to Iceberg II., who was the champion in those days. Right after that they put Neji back over the jumps." Thats one thing Gil can always boast of — he rode a real champion. Roser plans to stay on this circuit. "Just figured Id try a change of scenery," he replied in answer to why the change from his Ohio-Illinois stomping grounds. Roser suffered a spill this morning while working a horse and was taken to Revere Memorial Hospital. At first it was rumored around the track that he had broken his neck again, which happily was not true. Although the doctors wanted him to stay at the hospital for a time after taking X-rays, he was released and insisted upon riding his few engagements this afternoon. A couple of bruises and a shaking up was not going to stop Roser on his comeback effort after being out of action for so many months. Billie Morava, back in his second season here as horse identifier, is a widely traveled man. Before resuming his post here he spent last winter as a member of the tattoo crew of the TRPB, ranging from Southern California, to Arizona, Hot Springs and Kentucky. During that time he put lip numbers on over 1,500 horses. Two of which got the treatment from him were a couple of expensive purchases — Prince Blessed, a 6,000 brother to Round Table, and 00,000 Sundown II., an import from England. . . . Eddie Mack, the bombastic publicity man at Suffolk Downs, is in Cardinal OConnell House, Boston, for a physical check-up. Algasir Enjoying Life of Ease Henry Kimball, the Great Barrington, Mass., owner and trainer, has a couple of youngsters on his picturesque place in the Berkshire Mountains. He has a weanling colt by Piping Rock — Witchs Choice and a yearling filly by Fairforall — Ambushed. Ambushed is due to foal shortly to the cover of Miche and then will be sent to River War. Kimball, who raced Algasir with great success for many years, reports that the old warrior is currently enjoying a life of ease on the farm. He spends most of his time chasing the young horses around the paddock. . . . Mclver Pricketts swift Mrs. Hellen left for Garden State Park today and the 5,000 Colonial Handicap a week from Saturday. B. A. Darios Dandy Blitzen will depart for the same spot in due time, with designs on the same stake.
