Florida Breeder/Owner Ward Theisen Dead

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Ward Theisen, who raced homebred stakes winner Din's Dancer with wife Geraldine, died Oct. 17 in Ocala, Fla. A World War II Navy veteran, Theisen was 84.

Din's Dancer, who ran in the 1988 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) for the Theisens and Ken Opstein, won three stakes in 1990 and placed in a career total of eight, including the 1988 Jerome Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park. Din's Dancer still holds the track record for 1 1/16 miles at Keeneland.

In addition to his wife of 60 years, Theisen's survivors include two sons and three daughters, including Lynn Eklund, who works for PM Eckman Advertising in Ocala.

Donations may be made to the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, P.O. Box 3387, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866.

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