Harness: Keith Waples, 97, passes

Keith Waples, 97, a Hall of Fame member in both the United States and Canada, and one of the most revered horsemen in harness racing history, passed away on Saturday morning.

Waples, who won the Little Brown Jug and other stakes events with Strike Out in 1972, also campaigned the likes of Tie Silk, and was responsible for the first 2:00 mile in Canada when he guided Mighty Dudley to that mark at Richelieu Park. Waples was also a track builder, helping to develop and operate Ontario's Orangeville Raceway and then Cloverdale Raceway and Sandown Park in British Columbia.

In 2005, Waples was selected as the greatest horseman of the 20th century in a Canadian Sportsman poll.

Even into his 90s, Waples would occasionally be seen driving horses during training, and he remained an active owner until his passing. Among the horses he had was stakes winner Karma Seelster, the SBOA Stakes champion 3-year-old filly pacer from a year ago.