Hall of Fame jockey Johnny Longden, who won the Triple Crown aboard Count Fleet in 1943 and was the only man to ride and train a Kentucky Derby winner, died yesterday on his 96th birthday in Banning, Calif.
Chase McCoy, an ex-horseman and friend of Longden and his family for many years, said the former jockey and trainer died peacefully in his sleep at about 1:25 p.m. PST.
Longden had been in failing health for several years. He suffered a stroke last August and had been bedridden at his home in Banning, which is 90 miles east of Los Angeles, for the past four months.
2nd RACE – If Not Me Who broke well to set the pace but then on the backstretch was passed by favored Sordid Affair. If Not Me Who would not give up easily and fought back on the rail. The two horses were a team turning for home and battled each other to the wire. Sordid Affair started to edge away nearing the wire and then barely held off the fast-closing Gone For The Roses for the victory.
3rd RACE – Horses making their first start for Frank Laboccetta Jr. have a high winning percentage. Horses making their second start for Laboccetta do just as well. His trainee Leona’s Dr. was making her local debut after defeating cheaper at Philadelphia Park. She rated off the pace and then made a wide move on the turn while inside favored S S Scribble. At the top of the stretch she angled outside for running room and drew away for the victory. Favored S S Scribble broke slowly and but was still in contention on the outside turning for home. But she started to tire and lugged in while Leona’s Dr. drew off. Bebe Betz checked in midstretch and there was inquiry to see if S S Scribble caused her to check, but after a review, no action was taken.
7th RACE – Carnie’s Dancer ducked in at the start and then steadied when Pucker Power also ducked in. She trailed the field early and gradually started to move up on the turn. In the stretch she had good energy and finished well between horses, finishing a fast-closing second to favored She’s Got The Beat.
9th RACE – Storm On the Lake stumbled at the start and jockey Dale Whittaker was sent tumbling to the ground. Storm On the Lake then hit the rail before bearing out on the clubhouse turn, taking Debbie’s Way and Toga’s Triumph out with her. Storm On the Lake hopped the fence and ran around in the mile chute on the main track before being caught by an outrider. Favored Cologny stalked the pace and took the lead turning for home, but she tired and fell back to be third as Biogio’s Beauty closed well on the outside for the victory.
PICK SIX
Winning numbers 3-3-4-9-5-6
9 winners; each receives $10,487.00
210 consolation (5 of 6) winners
each receives $109.00
No carryover