Trainer Elmer Cowan Dead at 77

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Trainer Elmer Cowan, who trained Crypto's Redjet to back-to-back Ohio Horse of the Year championships, died July 13. He was 77.

A native of Roseville, Ohio, Cowan went out a winner. Gemini's Revenge carried the familiar Cowan stable green and yellow silks to victory in Thursday's eighth race at Thistledown.

"I talked to him after the race and he was happy to hear the horse won," said his son, Gary, a trainer at Thistledown.

Cowan trained Thoroughbreds for nearly 60 years. He won three Thistledown conditioner's titles, the Summit meeting of 1972 and 1974, and the Randall meeting of 1968.

His finest moment as a trainer was his work with Crypto's Redjet, who won 17 of 39 races and $364,640 in five years of racing. By winning three stakes races in 1996, including the Best of Ohio Distaff, and five more added money scores the following season, the daughter of Cryptoclearance claimed back-to-back Ohio Horse of the Year titles.

Cowan also trained 1977 Ohio sophomore colt champion Bold Sailing.

Funeral arrangements are pending, but Cowan will be buried in Columbus. He is survived by sons Gary, Mark, and Terry.

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