Cleveland Gold Cup Renamed in Stearns' Memory

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Photo: Courtesy of Thisteldown

Thistledown’s Cleveland Gold Cup has been renamed to honor the memory of the late Ohio veterinarian Daniel C. Stearns III, who served Ohio racing throughout his long career. Beginning with the 44th running July 2, the race will be known as the Daniel Stearns Cleveland Gold Cup.

The name change was initiated by the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners and approved by the Ohio State Racing Commission March 10.

"How appropriate that one of our Ohio-funded stakes races should be named to honor Dr. Stearns,” said OTBO executive director Gayle Babst. “He was one of the founding fathers of the OTBO in the late 1950s and among those who worked on legislation to create the Ohio Thoroughbred Race Fund. The outpouring of tributes from the Cleveland area horse industry has been tremendous and still continues. His life and his commitment to the racing industry in Ohio certainly merit this honor.”

A strong advocate of controlled medication, Dr. Stearns owned Euclid Veterinarian Hospital since 1948 and maintained his practice until his death Jan. 27 at age 89. Stearns was a United States Army veteran.

The Cleveland Gold Cup is a 1 1/8-mile race for 3-year-old Ohio-breds and carries a $75,000 purse. 

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