Longtime Southwest Trainer Elmer Carter Dead

(from Lone Star Park)
Elmer Carter, a World War II veteran who trained Thoroughbreds and American Quarter Horses in Texas and Oklahoma for several decades, died July 14 at the age of 80.

Carter, who trained horses at his farm in Windthorst, Texas, had won a race every year at Lone Star Park since the racetrack opened in 1997. His 35th career Lone Star win came Thursday night with 2-year-old Texas-bred filly Sister Genevieve.

Born Dec. 14, 1925, Carter had a knack for developing young horses. Last year, Out Our Way finished third in the Middleground Breeders' Cup Stakes and second in the Clever Trevor Stakes before winning the $40,000 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile at Remington Park in September. He also was the trainer of Lucky Kitch, who placed in four juvenile stakes in 1997.

With a modest stable, Carter won seven races at Lone Star Park's 2004 Spring Thoroughbred Season. This season, he won with four of 41 starters, including Go Go Mary Jo, Hello Larry, and Wild Late Nite Fun.

Go Go Mary Jo is entered in Sunday's first race at Lone Star and will be saddled by trainer Brent Morris. Morris said Carter treated him "like a son" since the two first met in 1977.

"We're all going to miss him," Morris said.

A viewing will take place at Owens & Brumley Funeral Home in Wichita Falls, Texas on July 16 from 7 to 8 p.m. The funeral service is scheduled for July 17 at the Antelope Methodist Church in Antelope, Texas at 10 a.m.

Carter is survived by his wife Dee.