Robert D. "Bobby" Peck, former jockey and Kentucky clerk of scales, died July 31 at Bennett County Memorial Hospital in Martin, South Dakota. He was 64 years old.
Born in Kadoka, S.D. and growing up the seventh of 10 children on his family ranch near Norris, S.D., Peck became a jockey at 14. He first worked for Rusty Becker and according to a close friend, Peck came to the attention of other trainers after winning eight races in just one week.
At 16, Peck won the Miles Park Derby at the former Miles Park in Louisville, Ky. His career as a jockey came to an end after a racing accident left him with serious back injuries. Peck went on to become clerk of the scales in Kentucky, working for almost 20 years at all Kentucky tracks: Churchill Downs, Keeneland, Turfway Park, and Ellis Park.
He is survived by his daughter Donajean and son Brian, who followed in his father's footsteps as a jockey; as well as his grandchildren Zak and Emma, his brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.