Cliff Guilliams, a chart caller and racing writer, died in his sleep April 12 in a Louisville hotel room. He was 52.
Guilliams served as Equibase’s chart caller and handicapper for the Louisville Courier-Journal. He previously served as the chart caller for Daily Racing Form.
Guilliams was working the Keeneland meeting at the time of his death. Press box officials became alarmed when Guilliams did not show up for work April 13.
A lifelong resident of Evansville, Ind., Guilliams was a big fan of racing at nearby Ellis Park near Henderson, Ky., and supported the track any way he could. He served as an unofficial historian and promoter.
Guilliams, who charted 25 Kentucky Derbys (gr. I), maintained close friendships with such Hall of Fame trainers as D. Wayne Lukas, Woody Stephens, and Nick Zito. One of Zito’s owners, Robert LaPenta, named a Gulch colt after Guilliams. Named The Cliff’s Edge, he won the 2004 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland.
Gulliams got married about a month ago. His survivors include his wife, Susan, and his mother.