by John Berry

Pompano Beach, FL — Longtime horseman Roy Saul, 79, died May 11, 2017.

Mr. Saul was involved in harness racing in six decades and was an owner-trainer-driver for some 40 years, compiling 735 driving wins and 759 training wins at tracks coast-to-coast.

A veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Saul got his start with Lou Rapone and eventually became one of the leading drivers and trainers at several of his “hometown” Illinois tracks such as Fairmount Park and Cahokia Downs.

Mr. Saul’s most recent successes came with such horses as Profiler Mindale and Bluebird Hi Ho, both of which were winners on the lucrative Indiana circuit, with the latter well known for his ability to pace final quarters as fast as :26.

“My, my,” he recalled, “I remember back when I broke in when a :29 quarter was pretty special…and today the real good ones can come home in :26.”

Mr. Saul is survived by his sons, Louie (Colleen) and Roy Jr. (Denise); step-daughter, Angie Ogden; five grandchildren; brothers, Jay and Allen; sisters, Pauline Wilson and Virginia Kennedy; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Louis, Missouri.

Funeral services will be held on Friday (May 19) at the Kassily Mortuary Chapel, Fairview Heights, Illinois.

Mr. Saul will be buried with military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.