by Mark Ratzky, publicity, Cal-Expo
Sacramento, CA — Cal Expo is sad to report the passing of Lloyd Arnold on Sunday (Jan. 8). He was 82.
In addition to being a prominent Standardbred owner, Mr. Arnold operated the former Golden Bear Raceway in Sacramento and also bought Los Alamitos in the late 1980s, eventually selling the track to his partner, Edward Allred.
Trainer Bob Johnson said, “I knew Lloyd for many years. When I started out grooming, I was working for Bob Farrington, and he was Bob’s main owner.
“He must have owned 40 or so when he ran Golden Bear and Los Alamitos. I remember when they needed horses to race at Sacramento, Bobby Gordon asked him if he could help and he went to Illinois and brought a dozen out here for different trainers.
“He was always trying to do good for the game in California, trying to keep it going. He was great for racing, got new people involved and had lots of innovative ideas.”
Rick Kuebler summed things up nicely when reflecting on Lloyd Arnold’s life in harness racing.
“Lloyd had a smile which made you feel like you’d been friends forever. He blurred the line between horsemen and management, having worn both hats with unequaled success. His passion for harness racing never broke stride. He trotted the whole mile.”
Live racing resumes at Cal Expo on Thursday (January 12) at 5:30 p.m. (PST) and continues on Friday (January 13) and Saturday (January 14) at 6 p.m.
- Lloyd Arnold, 83, dies (Monday, January 09, 2012)
Lloyd Arnold, 83, a longtime Standardbred owner and former racetrack operator, died Jan. 8, 2012.