Frank Alexander passed away at the age of 82 June 26 after retiring in 2012 from a distinguished training career best known for conditioning 1994 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Cherokee Run, the 2013 Preakness (G1) runner-up.
Long based in New York, Alexander began training on his own full-time in 1974 after spending four years as the racing manager for Sagamore Farm, the historic property in Glyndon, Md., bequeathed to Alfred G. Vanderbilt Jr. for his 21st birthday in 1933 as a gift from his mother.
Alexander's first win came with Maryland-bred Solo Jim at Pimlico Race Course in 1974. In his later years, he owned a home in upstate New York near Saratoga Race Course and wintered in South Florida.
“My family has known him for years, and I usually only saw him in Saratoga,” Sagamore Farm president Hunter Rankin said. “Stan Hough trains for us and he loved Stan. He would come by and always tell old stories about Sagamore. He loved the farm and he loved Maryland. What a nice man. What a professional.”
Vanderbilt, who died in 1999, was still very much a part of the operation during Alexander's tenure before he sold it to developer James Ward in 1986. Maryland native Kevin Plank, founder and CEO of Under Armour, purchased the farm, once home to Hall of Famer Native Dancer, in 2007.
“I had a lot of respect for him and what he accomplished here and what he accomplished throughout his career in racing. He loved the game, he loved the farm and he was a great man,” Rankin said. “Since we've been here we've tried to build on the tradition that was here starting back … with Mr. Vanderbilt. There have been a lot of people through here that have accomplished a whole lot in the sport. I think it says a lot about the place and, obviously, Mr. Vanderbilt, and Frank was a big part of that.”
Alexander won 997 races and $28.5 million in purses according to Equibase statistics, including Grade 1 winners K.J.'s Appeal, Lucky Roberto, Wallenda and Nonsuch Bay. Other stakes winners trained by Alexander included Babae, Beru, Flash Runner, Good and Tough, Killer Diller, Richmond Runner, Timmy and Windsor Castle.
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