Meadowbrook's LaCroix Leaves Training Ranks

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Trainer David LaCroix has decided to retire as a trainer, going out on a winning note at Hollywood Park May 19 when he saddled Drink at Buster's for a 22-1 upset in a maiden race for 2-year-olds.
           
LaCroix, 56, who has named several horses after restaurants and bars, explained that Buster’s is a bar near the Queen Mary in Long Beach that starter Gary Brinson recommended.
           
The longtime horseman said that he had given extensive thought to retirement as a trainer although he will remain active as a small-time owner and breeder for his Meadowbrook Stable.             
           
“The stable wasn’t making money the last two years,” said LaCroix. “I want to get expenses down by closing down the racing operation.”
           
LaCroix said he sold Meadowbrook Farm in Ocala, Fla., in 2006, but still owns four horses in training, five broodmares, and three yearlings.
           
“I may do a little pinhooking,” said LaCroix. “I’m going to turn ‘Buster’ over to Marty Jones. Two others will go to Mike Mitchell, and one to Mike Machowsky.”
           
LaCroix said he will divide the year between California, where he is moving from Manhattan Beach to Playa del Rey, and Florida, where his mother, Barbara, lives.
           
He said he wonders where the time had flown since he saddled the first winner of his career at Hollywood July 13, 1978. “Striding Out, with Henry Moreno up,” said LaCroix.

LaCroix saddled 413 winners from 3,678 starts for earnings of $9,771,024. He enjoyed stakes success at Hollywood, beginning with Unpredictable and the filly Ticketed. Other stakes winners included Fonz’s and Corazondelcampeon.
           
“First they called me the young David LaCroix, later they just called me David LaCroix, then they didn’t call me at all,” joked LaCroix.

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