Fact is, he's a 23-year-old jockey trying to make a name for himself in the

big time.

Cameron Colledge is a lanky, fresh-faced kid who grew up in Salt Lake City.

He has ridden at testing half-mile bullrings in Utah and Wyoming. These days,

he's picking up mounts on the relatively major circuit of Fairplex Park, a

five-eighths of a mile track from which Colledge is gleaning valuable

experience.

"My name Cameron came from my grandpa from Europe," Colledge said. "My dad's

last name is Colledge, so it's that simple.

Riding with, and. against savvy veterans has provided Colledge with valuable

knowledge.

"You have to really be on your toes to ride on this track with these riders,"

he said. "I've learned a lot here. Some of these older riders are my friends,

fellows like Scott Stevens and Chance Rollins, who are from my neck of the

woods. Chance is from Utah. He's helped out a lot. I went to Arizona (Turf

Paradise) and I became very good friends with Leslie Mawing and Scott. They

helped me, too."

Colledge said he's been riding about four years with just two winners in

California last year, but "50 or 60 between Utah and Wyoming" last summer.

In Monday's fourth race, he looked stylish finishing third on 19-1 shot

Tomencino, who won at Fairplex on Sept. 10 last year for a $104.40 win

payoff, highest of the meet. Colledge also finised second in Monday's 10th

race aboard 14-1 shot Squeezin Season.

"I came here last year and rode about 50 horses and won a couple races," said

Colledge, who plans to return to Turf Paradise this winter. "But mainly I

stay in Utah and Wyoming. Fairplex is the toughest track of any I ride, for

sure. Those half-mile tracks are maybe a little harder to ride, but you have

a lot better competition, better riders, here. The West Coast jockey colony

is probably the toughest in America, so it would be a good dream (to make it

in California). But you've got to build your way up before you can stay on

top with these guys."

FAIRWELLS: Trainer David Bernstein said he is considering the $100,000 Ralph

M. Hinds Pomona Invitational Handicap on Sept. 29 for Truly A Judge, winner

of the $150,000 Jewel Claiming Crown at Philadelphia Park on Aug. 31 . . .

Emerging breeds racing secretary Bob Moreno plans an optional claiming or an

allowance race for mules at 350 yards "sometime during the middle of next

week." . . Doug O'Neill reports that Hollywood Gold Cup winner Sky Jack

underwent successful surgery Sunday at Los Alamitos equine hospital. "Dr.

(Wayne) McIllwraith said everything went great, just as planned," the trainer

said. "The injury (to his right front, third carpal bone) is in a

weight-bearing surface. It's the same type of thing he dealt with about two

years ago. Injuries in those spots are not really good places to have chips,

but it's something he's already made it through twice. The vets always paint

a kind of so-so picture (for returning to the races), just to cover their

behinds. But Sky Jack is such a warrior that I think we should be in good

shape. They say it will be six months before we can start tackwalking him, so

probably the Gold Cup for next year is out. I just want to get him back.

That's the main thing." . . . With two victories Monday, Tyler Baze took the

lead in the jockeys' race with five, one more than Omar Berrio, Martin

Pedroza, Danny Sorenson and Matt Garcia . . . A five-way tie for training

honors with two victories each exists between Mel Stute, Jack Van Berg,

Rafael Becerra, Tony Dee a