Veteran Chicago Trainer Jere R. Smith Sr. Dead

Longtime Chicago trainer Jere R. Smith Sr., who trained some 40 stakes winners, died Jan. 14 of pancreatic cancer. A fan favorite, he was 63.

Smith, who began his training career as a teenager at Beulah Park in the 1950s, shifted to Chicago in the mid-1960s. He won a dozen local training titles, winning six at Sportman's Park, five at Hawthorne, and one at Arlington Park.

Smith claimed Recoup the Cash during the 1993 Arlington meet for $15,000 and won eight stakes with the gelding for owner Richard E. Trebat. Four of them were graded, including the Hawthorne Gold Cup (gr. II) and Stephen Foster (gr. II) Handicaps.

Later that decade. Smith made another big claim for Trebat. He haltered Chicago Six for $18,000 in 1999 and won nine stakes with him. Chicago Six, whose big win came in the National Jockey Club Handicap (gr. III), was an Illinois champion in 2000-01.

Smith also trained stakes winner Royal Glint for a time, plus Charming Alibi. Royal Glint was retired a millionaire. Smith claimed Charming Alibi for $7,500 and saddled her to several stakes wins. Charming Alibi went on to achieve lasting fame as the dam of Nelson Bunker Hunt's international star Dahlia.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.