1 May 1937 [The Dispatch Hustler, Vol. XIX]

(Newspaper for Columbus Dispatch Carriers)

[ Edited ]

"The five week training course that the city carriers received in salesmanship was climaxed April 7^th, when the judges proclaimed Richard Ridgely, station 14 and John Boyle, station 72, as winners of the city crown and a free, all expenses paid, trip to the 500-mile race in Indianapolis.

Each carrier was given an opportunity to compete in the contest after the completion of this course.  Then from among the winning salesmen each station picked two of the best boys to represent that station at the semi-finals held at the main office.

Judges finally named John Boyle and Richard Ridgely, as champions, with Alphonso Cundiff, station 52 and Robert Reeves, station 32 as second place.."

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1 June 1937 [The Dispatch Hustler]

"The wires are red-hot and here are some choice bits of news from our stations north and west."

[Edited]

"Made captain of the Sunset edition selling force at Station 32, Bob Reeves is considered the youngest carrier to have this distinction."

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[No Source Noted] "FAIRMOUNT PARK, Collinsville, Ill., June 1.

With six winners to his credit apprentice Robert Reeves is pacing the riders at Fairmont Park.  The Illinois¹ boy rode four winners Saturday and two yesterday."

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"COLLINSVILLE, ILL - The Fall meeting of the Fairmount Jockey Club swings into the final week of its 32-day session.  Swinging into the final week of the meeting, Bobby Reeves of Columbus, continues to dominate the riding department.  Bobby is seven winning mounts in front of Apprentice Willie Bailey and eight in advance of Dell Jessop, but there is a possibility of Reeves dropping the championship to Bailey or Jessop.

Reeves yesterday received word from his draft board that he has been reclassified and is now in 1-A and has instructions to report to Columbus, for his physical examination this coming Friday.  After completing his riding engagements tomorrow, Bobby will leave for his home.

During the first 27 days of the Fall meeting Reeves piloted 37 winners.  Bailey, who arrived here a week after the close of the Dade Park meeting, has entered the winners circle 30 times.  Jessop, who was runner-up for five weeks, dropped back to third last week and is only eight away from Reeves.  Joe Dyer is fourth with 18 wins."

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[No Date or Source Noted] "FIRST RACE Doorman, closing with a rush, got the odds betters off to a good start in the opening race.  Midnight Sue, a 30 to 1 choice, broke out on top and ran there until Doorman started his rush about a sixteenth out.  Then it was all over as Reeves brought the favorite to the front and won going away.  Cannon's Dream, a long shot in the betting was third.

Doorman went the six furlong route in 1:12 2-5, a respectable race.  Big Bozo, second betting choice, was fourth."

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[No Date or Source Noted] "Ironclad, with jockey Bobby Reeves of Columbus up, registered his second win of the meeting in the fifth event, the margin being a nose in a photo finish.  Moorea was second with Star Nymph third.  Ironclad repaid his supporters at the rate of $19 for 2, the best return on the early portion of the card."

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[No Date or Source Noted] "Biggest upset of the day came in the fifth race, at a mile and 70 yards.  Neglected in the wagering Bimboy, with Bobby Reeves in the irons, took command quickly and never looked back to romp home ahead of Shimmy Queen and Indiana Boy, the well backed members of the field.  The mutual board lighted up with a $77.40 payoff on this one."

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[No Date or Source Noted] "FOURTH RACE Janes Patsy, bottom half of the Stone - McClain - Ryan entry, displayed a convincing burst of speed in the payoff portion of the track to nip the front running Cyclorama in the five and a half furlong fourth.

Cyclorama went to the top at the break, closely attended by Santa Elisa, running mate of Janes Patsy.  They went that way to the stretch and then Jockey Reeves brought Janes Patsy the shortest way around, leveling off and then beat Cyclorama in the run to the wire.  Santa Elisa was third.

Cyclorama was the even money shot in the race with the entry 8 to 5.  Janes Patsy had the pull in the weights, carrying 104 to 112 for Cyclorama and 113 for Santa Elisa."

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[No Date or Source Noted]

[Article by Raymond V. Smith]

"Skippered by Bobby Reeves, Open Heir won by four lengths and was drawing away at the finish.  He was timed in 1:44.2 for the mile and sixteenth, four-fifths of a second off the track standard.  Abolere and Umbrella Man had it out in a stubborn duel for the place, with Abolere sticking his nose out enough to grab second money and pay $6.20 and $3.60.  Umbrella Man's show price was $2.80.  He was the red-hot favorite.

Reeves gave a smart ride, he kept the brown-coated charger back of the field and on the outside for a half mile, gradually moved up, then left the others sniffing his dust as he pulled away.

Betting on the Labor Day purse, seventh race on the card, was unusually heavy, the handle showing a grand total of $68,254.

The fields took over in the first two races, but ironically, the winners, Joe Funk in the opener and Charbob in the second, paid a modest daily double price - $62.20."

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"BEULAH PARK, Grove City, Ohio, Sept. 30. ..."

"Without knowing who he was, we were attracted by the riding of one of the jockeys at this course the other afternoon.  The boy had a certain smoothness of action and left the impression that he knew what he was doing and where he was going at all times.  Investigation revealed him to be Bobby Reeves and when it was recalled that a few years ago Reeves was seen astride the horses of D. C. Wilhelm of Chicago, under whose tutelage he learned his profession, the reason for the boys excellent form was obvious.  He had ridden successfully such good horses as Valdina Farm's Rounders and the good router Shot Put.  A hitch of nearly three years in the Navy, which was followed by some hospitalization, sidelined Reeves from riding for a time but he has been back in action for several years and appears to have lost none of his ability.  Incidentally, Reeves is a product of the host city, Columbus, where he still makes his home."

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[No Date or Source Noted]

"In his last start here Preco came from behind and seemed about to over take Mother's Girl when the front horse moved over to the rail and shut him off.

But Saturday Jockey Reeves took no chances, got to the top and stayed there. It was Reeves' second winner in a row and his third of the day."

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[See Original Article]

(From the Columbus Dispatch?)

"The task of trying to pick winners at a race course is serious business - even for a comedian like Joe E. Lewis, now appearing at the Maramor.  Lewis joined the Beulah Park railbirds Friday and sought the advice of Apprentice William Brooks (left) and Jockey Bobby Reeves (right).  From the expression on the comic's face, he is somewhat of a doubting Thomas.  Friday night, Lewis quipped, 'I had good luck at the track today.  I got a ride home.' "

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18 May, 1961 [Source?]

"Beulah park, Grove City, Ohio, May 18, -- [Edited for Brevity]

Ridden by Robert Reeves, the Rice color bearer assumed command soon after the start of the 6 furlongs test and drew off while saving ground for one of the easiest triumphs of the current session.  Trained by Don Ruff, the four-year-old Yazdegerd.  Win Fin gelding who was getting the maiden victory, found a majority of backers in the estimated turnout of 3,200 fans to post a payoff of $5.00 straight after being timed in 1:13 for the sprint."

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26 August, 1971, (Calder Race Course) [Edited for Brevity]

"CALDER RACE COURSE, Fla., Aug. 25.

Bobby Reeves, who rode with success in the 50's and early 60's before turning to training, is now the farm manager at the Sea Horse-Ballymena Inc. Farm in Delray Beach.  Bobby last rode in 1965.  He hung up his tack and then trained horses for Louis K. Haggin for several years.  Reeves has some nice things to say about the farm, which is owned by Lynn Firestone.  It boasts a half-mile training track, swimming pool and enough stall space for 70 head.  Horses are boarded and rehabilitated at the acreage which is just 45 miles from Miami."

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- John Copeland/ Miami Herald Staff

[See Original Article]