Charles Cono, who campaigned 2008 champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Bound, died April 9 at his La Mesa, Calif., home of complications from lupus. He was 86.
Cono had raced trotters before starting with Thoroughbreds about six years ago. He bought Stardom Bound for $375,000 through the efforts of trainer Christopher Paasch at last year’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co.’s March sale of 2-year-olds in training and watched her turn into a champion. Stardom Bound won the Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and two other grade I stakes.
Shortly after the Breeders’ Cup, Cono, because of health reasons, sold Stardom Bound to Nick Sallusto, agent for IEAH Stables, for $5.7 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November mixed sale. Stardom Bound is racing this year for IEAH and partners.
Cono campaigned other graded stakes winners Conveyor’s Angel, Diplomat Lady, Principle Secret, and Crowned Angel (in partnership). Diplomat Lady also was a grade I winner, capturing the 2005 Hollywood Starlet Stakes.
Cono was born in Washington, D.C., and moved to San Diego in the early 1950s. He co-owned Hanken, Cono, Assad & Co., a real estate investment and management firm formed in 1974 and based in La Mesa. Cono’s survivors include a daughter.