Horse Racing Articles By Greg Melikov

Winning Derby Trainer Heads Hall of Fame Inductees

Native Texans Nafzger and horseman Preston Carter, born in Plainview and
Weatherford, respectively, will be honored along with scores of past
historic tracks throughout the Lone Star State.



Nafzger grew up on a Texas farm near Olton and was fascinated by bulls
raised by his father. That led to rodeo competition. He went to the national
finals three straight years starting in 1963 when he was the third leading
bull rider in the world.



"I had quite a bit of success on the tour during the 60s," he said. "It was
quite a grind. I traveled about 80,000 miles a year and worked about 10
months a year, day and night. I loved the rodeo, but it just gets to a point
where you can do it anymore."



So Nafzger turned to thoroughbreds and obtained his trainers license in
68, the same year he and his wife Wanda were married in Cheyenne Wyo. "We
did all our own work," he recalled. "We groomed our own and I exercised and
shod my own racehorses."



He hopes to duplicate the success of 90 when Unbridled won the Kentucky
Derby and later captured the Breeders Cup Classic. Nafzgers Street Sense
his half way there after the triumph this year at Churchill Downs. Next
stop: Monmouth Park and the 24th BC Classic.



Preston, a world-class polo player in the late 70s, has owned thoroughbreds
and quarter horses. He remains active in the cutting horse industry.



A key figure behind successful Texas legislation restoring pari-mutuel
wagering in 87, Preston formed a partnership of horse owners, Lone Star
Jockey Club, which was awarded a license in 92 to build a racetrack in
Grand Prairie. He sold his interest just before Lone Star Park opened five
years later.



Nafzger and Preston will attend the ceremony. Tommy Azopardi, executive
director of the Texas Horsemens Partnership for more than a decade, will
represent historic tracks that include Alamo Downs, which operated from 33
to 37, in San Antonio.



The area did without a track until 95, when Retama opened a short gallop
from the northwest city limits in Selma.



Some of the honored tracks date back more than 70 years, including Arlington
Downs, between Dallas and Fort Worth, and Epsom Downs in Houston.



The annual Hall of Fame gala, which attracts racing interests from
throughout Texas, is staged to raise money for a museum and Walk of Fame at
Retama.



"Weve collected $260,000 and another $278,000 has been pledged," said
Sharolyn Grammer, Hall of Fame administrative director.



"The Walk of Fame would go up first," she pointed out. "It will be in front
of the grandstand near the paddock. Alongside will be (upright) panels
honoring inductees (dating back to 99)."



The special evening of racing will feature a half-dozen stakes worth
$480,000, including a pair of six-furlong contests with purses of $125,000
each for 2-year-olds of each gender.



by Greg Melikov