Aurora Flash

Most publicized jockey of the year is cocky little Don Meade. Reinstated last December by the Florida Racing Commission after a three-year suspension for betting against his own mounts, Jockey Meade, 1933 Kentucky Derby winner, made a sensational comeback this winter, booted home 91 winners at Hialeah and Tropical Park. Last week, while penitent Mr. Meade made headlines because of his successful plea for a riding license on the "big apple" (New York tracks), an obscure fellow-peewee named Johnny Oros quietly displaced him as the leading jockey of 1939.

Considered by some turf experts the most promising young rider since Earl Sande hung up his tack, 17-year-old Johnny Oros did not grow up on horseback, like most jockeys. Until four years ago the nearest he came to a horse was the shanks' mare on which he used to deliver groceries for his father's little emporium in Aurora, Ill. When Father Oros decided to trade his grocery store for a stable of third-rate thoroughbreds, Johnny learned to ride a horse.

Last spring young Oros rode his first winner--at the Aurora race track. This winter, still an "apprentice," he outrode his most experienced rivals at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, then moved on to Bowie to lead the field there as well. Last week, on closing day at Bowie, Jockey Oros put on as exciting a show for Maryland racegoers as Don Meade had ever given Hialeah patrons. With a leg up on six mounts, he won three races (including the Daily Double), finished in the money with the other three. His triple brought lis string of victories to 105 since January 1--14 more than Meade, his nearest competitor.

Hailed last week as the "Aurora Flash" and sought as a contract rider, baby-faced Johnny Oros, as bashful and unsophisticated as Don Meade is arrogant and wise, rebelled at his first interview. "Aw shucks," said he. "There ain't any mystery about me or my riding. I don't use no special tricks. I don't whisper no sweet words in the horse's ear. I just sit up there and hang on."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.