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NEW JERSEY By William C. Phillips . GARDEN STATE PARK, Camden, N. J., May 7.— The most successful apprentice in the East since the roseate days of Bill Hartack and Howard Grant is an apprentice no more. He is Robert E. Corle, 23-year-old son of a retired railroad engineer, who through last Tuesday registered an impressive score of 174 winners with benefit of the five- s pound apprentice allowance. Corle was deprived of the precious "bug" at the completion of his allotted term on Tuesday and hereafter he must compete with Hartack, Grant and the other veterans as an equal. It could" be a sobering thought, but Corle says that the most important thing he learned as an apprentice was the value of confidence. "Knowing how important that is,"v Corle philosophised, "I would be a fool to feel any other way. Right now I am very happy over the support .the horsemen are giving me. I had seven mounts my first day without the "bug," six the next day, and this afternoon Im riding five. The mounts might not be quite as "live" as before but that will just make me try harder." Corle is an intelligent young gentleman who completed his high school education before he first grasped the reins on a race horse. It was because of his school activities, incidentally, that he became a jockey. Corle tells of visiting the shop, of Art Hine, an "occasional" owner of horses who maintains a haberdashery in Bedford, Pa., which is 14 mil2s from the hamlet of.Imler, where Corle was born. "I was getting measured for a wrestling sweater for. my school team and Mr. Hine asked me if I had ever thought of becoming a jockey. I- told him no, and he said* if I ever did decide to try it to let him know. After I graduated I came to him and he sent me to Bill Irvine down at Cumberland." Corle remained with the late Irvine until autumn and spent the winter at A. G. Vanderbilts Sagamore Farm in Maryland. The following spring he rejoined Irvine, and shortly afterward was taken under contract by J. S. Kelly, with whom he has remained to this time. He rode his first race at Cumberland in 1956 but did Robert E. Corle Now Full-Fledged Jockey Had 174 Victories While Riding With Bug Learned Value of Confidence as Apprentice not break his maiden until January 31, 1958 at Sun-""Sfiine Park on a 60-to-l shot named Guys Birthday. He next rode at Laurel, and from that meeting on was the top apprentice at every track he competed, through Maryland and New Jersey. Corle says he believes the next most important thihg to confidence in riding is always to be trying. "Ive watched Joe Culmone in particular. He beat me a couple of times when I thought I was home free, I decided he must be doing something I wasnt and that Id better learn. What I like about the way Joe rides is that hels always riding, always doing something. If he isnt talking to his horse, hes whistling, or changing his hands on the reins, flicking them with the whip, or doing everything at once. I guess it lets the horse know somebodys in the saddle and wants them to run. Anyway, it seems to work. "I like to ride," Corle continued, "and I hope I can r continue until Im an old man. Its not all money, its the joy of being in a competitive sport. Theres a personal feeling of glory in winning and getting paid for it, too — its legal, too!" Edward Brennan Sr., one of racings best dressed men, made his initial visit of the meeting on Wednesday attired with a soft brown Tyrolese fedora and a carved walking stick. The general manager of Monmouth Park the previous afternoon lunched at Belmont Park with John W. Hanes, president of the New York Racing Association, leaving the home fires to be tended by his new assistant, Harvey Warden. . . . Agent Chick Lang,-noted for a flashier style wardrobe some of those plaid jackets wont stop, arrived to herald the approach of William Hartack who will -begin "his riding here on Friday. Hartack flew to Miami following his guest riding appearance at new Shenandoah Downs on Monday to arrange transfer of his automobile and luggage here. . . . John W. Kane, Wilmington insurance executive and former owner of Sunshine Park race track, is a frequent visitor in company with William E. Charles Jr. He recently entered the sport as an owner and has several useful horses here. . . . Dan Rice tentatively set forth a busy travel schedule. From here he visited Pimlico yesterday, then to Washington, D. C, to Lexington, Ky., and eventually Chicago. The stable colors, which are in his wifes name, reflect the nature of the family. On Saturday they will be represented on three fronts. Talent Show in New York, Air Pilot in Maryland, and Rare Rice in the local Delaware Valley Stakes. . . . Spencer Drayton, of the TRA and TRPB, and editor-publisher J. Samuel Perlman made a pleasure visit from New York on Wednesday and were hosted by general manager Walter H. Donovan. The play for the first few days is up some 14 per cent. President Eugene Mori is optimistic but cautions that the first four programs last year were presented in foul weather and that the meeting this spring lacks Memorial Day. The hope is for a big enough gain this opening week to maintain last springs average in the final days. . . . There apparently were few breeding pundits among Tuesdays crowd when they permitted a Johns Joy juvenile to pay 4.00. He is the leading juvenile sire of the country. . . . Miss Virginia Helis arrived from New Orleans recently in excellent health and spirits and expects to remain through most of the New Jersey season. He guest is Mrs. Blanche De la V. Charboneret, of New Orleans. . . . The track this first week has been unusually deep and it takes a fit horse to go the distance. The first good rain probably will make the difference. . . .* Trainer J. F. Beattie, who winters and trains in New Jersey, is one who is sending them out fit in the same pattern as last year when he tallied with a string of longshots. . . . Eddie I. Kelly, who seasonally unveils a sharp crop of juveniles, cautions that the Brookfield youngsters may not be quite as advanced as usual this spring. . . . William Hinphy has shipped in Gay Winner and Colombo from Suffolk Downs. The latter, owned by his wife, is a promising middle-distance three-year-old. . . . Charles S. Handel-mans Betty Linn and Bonnie A. flew in from Washington Park and will train for the Colonial Handicap on May 16.
