Retired trainer Alexander dies at 82

Frank Alexander, who trained horses for close to 40 years before retiring in 2012, died June 26 from kidney failure, according to his wife, Linda. He was 82 years old.

Alexander, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 195761, opened his own business on Long Island in 1961. He bought and sold hunters, showed horses, and instructed riders.

In 1963, he went to work as an assistant to trainer Mike Freeman in New York. After a few years training on and off on his own, he went to Maryland to manage Sagamore Farm for Alfred G. Vanderbilt for four years.

In 1974, Alexander started a public stable in Maryland, recording his first winner in 1974 at Pimlico with Solo Jim.

Alexander relocated to New York in 1987 and trained for prominent owners Barry K. Schwartz, Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable, and J. Mack Robinson, just to name a few.

Alexander trained several stakes winners, most notably Cherokee Run, who won the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint – a year after finishing second in the Preakness – and was voted that year’s Eclipse Awardwinning sprinter.

Alexander also trained Grade 1 winners, including K.J.’s Appeal, Lucky Roberto, Wallenda, and Nonsuch Bay. Other stakes winners trained by Alexander included Killer Diller, Good and Tough, Babae, Windsor Castle, Beru, Flash Runner, Richmond Runner, and Timmy.

According to Equibase, Alexander won 997 races, and his horses earned $28,569,136 in purse money.

“We had great owners, we had a great run,” said Linda Alexander, Frank’s wife of 52 years.

In addition to his wife, Alexander is survived by two nieces and two sisters-in-law.

A memorial service may be held in Saratoga later this summer.

BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON Frank Alexander trained 1994 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner Cherokee Run, among other Grade 1 stakes winners.