| Neves began riding at age 13 under the supervision of trainer J.J. Millerick. Neves spent most of his career on the West Coast, although he also rode for Anthony Pelleteri and W.E. Boeing in the East and for Calumet Farm in the Midwest.
Aggressive riding and a strong preference for being on the lead were hallmarks of Neves' riding style, although it occasionally brought trouble. After an accident at Bay Meadows, the stunned track announcer declared Neves 'deceased', but he made a miraculous recovery and rode five winners the next day. In 1957 Neves scored a major victory aboard Corn Husker in the Santa Anita Handicap. He dieted seriously to make weight at 105 pounds and won by half a length.
Neves was a multiple winner of numerous California stakes but considered the 1940 Santa Anita Derby aboard Sweepida his favorite. |
USA