Horse Racing

Southern California coach Howard Zucker dies at 74


Whether spearheading a fundraiser to help workers with back injuries or working tirelessly for Thoroughbred Dog aftercare, trainer Howard Zucker is there for the people and horses in the Dog industry. thoroughbred. To Zucker, “How’s it going?” It’s not a mere conversation – he really wants to know.

Zucker, 74, died October 20 at USC’s Keck Hospital in Los Angeles after undergoing open-heart surgery a few days earlier. Clocker’s Corner at Santa Anita It would have been broken if it weren’t for Zucker standing in his familiar corner at the top of the steps under the Clock’s Corner sign.

A coach on the Southern California circuit since 1983, Zucker has headed 246 winners with a total of nearly $9.5 million. His best runner is Crafty CT Owned by CT Grether, Crafty CT won the San Rafael Stakes (G2) in 2001 and earned $832,652. He entered seven slots, including the 2002 NAPA Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), the 2001 Santa Anita Derby (G1), and the 2002 Metropolitan Handicap (G1).

Other bet winners Zucker trained with include 1992 champion, California-bred 2-year-old Moscow Changes, 2003 Desert Stormer Handicap (G3) win Mrs. Pietra and 2009 Honeymoon Handicap (G2T) winner Good Monied . In 2008, Zucker won both classes of Daisycutter Handicap at Del Mar with Queen Ofthe Catsle and Synnin and Grinin . Queen Ofthe Castle also won the 2008 Senator Ken Maddy Handicap (G3T).

Zucker earned his bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York, majoring in finance with a degree in juvenile biology. He began grooming horses at the New York and New Jersey races and earned his first trainer’s license at State Park in 1973. A decade later, he moved to Southern California.

Registration for

A practice coach, Zucker is also very involved in aftercare. At the time of his death, he was treasurer of CARMA, and he was the former president of that organization that financed the rehabilitation, retraining, and retirement of Thoroughbred racehorses in California. Zucker has served on the California Thoroughbred Trainers’ track safety committee as well as on the CTT board, and he has been active in helping organizations such as the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation and the Winners Foundation.

“He attended every event and always stepped up,” said Jenine Sahadi, president of the Gregson Foundation. “He’s been of great help to the Gregson Foundation.”

Zucker describes himself as a “barn trainer” who spends a lot of time with his horses.

“I always try to get the most out of each horse by working hard and paying attention to detail and their mental and physical health,” he once said.

To that end, Zucker repeatedly volunteered to organize barn tours for California domesticated owners.

“He has touched so many lives and has always been involved in his life,” said Mary Forney, retired TOC executive. “He really cared about the horses and the people. Everyone enjoyed talking to him. He was involved in the care, and all of his horses were very well looked after. “

Zucker’s survivors include his wife, Lorraine, and a sister, Joan Axelrod.

Friends have set up a Go Fund Me memorial page for Zucker.

news7g

News7g: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button