Gerald Yeutter, 78; Jockey Raced in the 1940s and 1950s

Gerald “Jerry” Yeutter, 78, a jockey who rode on such racetracks as Caliente and Vancouver in the 1940s and 1950s, died Oct. 4 at his home in Arcadia of unspecified causes.

Born in Gothenburg, Neb., and brought up in Bellflower along with his jockey brother, Donald, Yeutter began riding at a Norwalk ranch when he was 20. He became a “bug boy” or apprentice jockey for trainer Bill Molter at Santa Anita and, on Aug. 14, 1947, rode his first winner at Del Mar Race Track.

The risk-taking Yeutter became as revered for his sense of humor as his ability to ride. Asked by an owner what he thought of a problematic, lethargic horse, the jockey quipped: “It’s a good thing for the United States that Paul Revere never rode this horse or we would all be singing ‘God Save the Queen.’ ”

Yeutter was severely injured at Hollywood Park in 1955 when his horse, Against Time, clipped the heels of another horse, threw the jockey off and then bucked straight up and landed on him. Yeutter suffered a fractured vertebra and nearly lost a kidney.

A year later, he abandoned riding and became a parimutuel clerk at the track.