Racing: Great American jockey mourned

racing

Great American jockey mourned

The American community was yesterday mourning the death of Eddie Arcaro, the only double winner of the Triple Crown and one of the greatest jockeys of all time. Arcaro, who had a record 17 wins in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, died from liver cancer at his home in North Miami Beach on Friday. Arcaro was honoured by the jockeys at Calder Race Track near his home yesterday when they gathered in the winner's circle for a moment of silence after the first race. At Hollywood Park in California, Arcaro's rival and friend Bill Shoemaker said: "He was one of the very best jockeys ever to ride professionally." Arcaro retired in 1962 with 4,779 winners from 24,092 mounts. He won the Triple Crown aboard Citation in 1941 and Whirlaway in 1948. He won the Kentucky Derby five times, the Preakness six times and the Belmont six times.