Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-02-26
WIN, LOSE OR
DNAW By FRANCIS srANN
The Desperodo' Rides Again

MIAMI, Feb. 26-Tony DeSpirito has to go down as
one Of the best sports competitors of the THE Des
perados refusal to quit reindul of the doggedneSs
which Ben Hogan displayed after his nearfaal highway
accident.
1t back on February 10 that Desprto returned to
racing He banked that day. but the next afternoon
he rode winner called Nsh Amool Flamingo prospect
The rabirds properly moved by the effort People
applauded Tony all the way to the jockeys
tearing up handful of tickets charged to the rider.
Il just want to tell you that don't mind losing if you
win, Tony, he said DeSprito binked rapidly, thanked
the man. and hurried onward.
Back in 1852, when the kid from Lawrence, Mass,
was only IT, he the hottest and cockeSt rider in the
business perhaps He rode 800 winners all time record
then and the earnings of his mounts to just under
81 million In 1858 he rode 81 winners
He is great rider and he knows it," observers said
NOW o. DEsPIRITo is matured by adversely. After
his winning ride NSht Amool he wanted to to
the press box thank the racing writer's for treating
his comeback attempt kindly. He advised to send
up note, instead which he did with the request that
1t be placed on the bulletin board
DeSpiroS remarkable series of bad breaks started in
the spring of 1858 at Lincoln Downs He fell and disc
was dislocaed in his spine He also hada leg infection
from leather boot
But wasn't bothered too much at the time" Tony
recalls Il had good year, everything considered, and
although didn't ride much in "a still doing all
right Had 239 winners"
1t on September IT, 1855 that DeSprto's career
almost ended at its zenith He had the mount on
suddenly the ly in front of him. Gainsboro Girl broke
her leg and fell Open Sesame fell her and DeSprto
wound up with brain liberation and broken jaw.
ON MAY 2, 1856, DESPIRITO was riding again-this
time at Laurel-when his mount Foderol fell Again it
nearly curtains for Tony surgeon Cheverly Md
removed kidney, the spleen and Of four fractured
ribs Nobody thought he would ride again. but later
that year at Suffolk Downs he trying once more
This time he began hemorrhaging and got a stomach
hernia.
About that time" Tony asked weren't you get
ting little discouraged"
WELL" he shrugged, II had to keep trying. It's the
only way know to make living"
In the spring Of 81 in Maryland the little gamester
tried again. Now he snatched vertebra out of place
In the fall of ST. again at Suffolk Downs he had to retire
because Of Asian flu.
What discouraged me most" Tony saying, was
the death Of Norman Sudduth in Clearwater Fla Sud-
duth DeSpiritos long time agent and friend. II
felt lost for a WHILE" Tony said.
IF DESPIRITO BEGAN to feel discouraged he kept it
to himself Leaving his wife and two children in Massa-
chusetts Tony to Florida to give it more try
alone Not like crack rider, but exercise boy In
the mornings when the dew the grass he reported
and worked horses. BY am he was finished the
track and sweaed it out the rubbing table and
box
He went on a diet. Green vegetables. mostly" he
reports. Il got down to ll2 pounds then 10. The
next question was when was going to get mount"
Well, he's getting them again. And when he finally
came barrelng down the stretch Nisht Amoo coming
from behind to wn it could have been the biggest
he won.