Leonard Alexander Dead at 67

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Walter L. Alexander, a prominent Florida horseman best known by his middle name "Leonard," died at his Ocala, Fla. home on July 14 after a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 67.

The native of Omega, Ga. got his start training quarter horses in the 1950s and quickly moved to Thoroughbreds. He was a regular at Sunshine Park -- later known as Tampa Bay Downs –- and sent a string of horses to Calder Race Course each summer since the track's opening in 1971.

Alexander was especially prominent in battling for horsemen's rights at Tampa where he served for nearly two decades as a director of the Tampa Bay Downs Horsemen's' Benevolent and Protective Association. He was the Association's president for the last six years of his life.

"He was the best friend any horseman running on Florida's west coast could have had," said Kent Stirling, executive director of the Florida Horsemen's' Benevolent and Protective Association, "He was instrumental in every improvement, especially battling for higher purses."

Alexander is survived by wife, Avis, and son, Alan.

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