DRF's Dodge dies at 62

Dennis Dodge, the longtime Daily Racing Form columnist and handicapper in the Northwest, died suddenly Tuesday evening of apparent heart failure in Seattle, according to a release from Emerald Downs. Dodge was 62.

Dodge worked for Daily Racing Form for 32 years. Working in the Seattle office, he began in the statistics department in 1976. Since 1985, Dodge has been the columnist and handicapper at Longacres and Emerald Downs.

"We're shocked to learn of the untimely death of Dennis Dodge," said Emerald Downs president Ron Crockett. "Dennis had a marvelous dedication to the sport of horse racing, and he was a very fair reporter. Obviously, he will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his wife and family."

Dodge, a native of the region, was born in Silverton, Ore., and lived in Seattle. He is survived by his wife, Melissa, daughter, Mary, and son, Sam. Service arrangements are pending.