Kentucky trainer Dan Sanner dies at 61

Dan Sanner, who trained a small stable of horses in Kentucky for nearly 30 years, died Sunday in Louisville from stomach cancer. He was 61.

Sanner, originally from Pennsylvania, began his training career in Kentucky in 1993 while he and his late wife, Debbie, raised their son, Brandon. Sanner also operated an insurance agency for most of those years. His best horses included Queen Hazel and Discovered, both stakes-placed on turf, and Gabriel’s Cat.

In all, Sanner won 149 races for stable earnings of $2.2 million, with his final start coming Dec. 30 at Turfway Park. His last winner was One Cool Dude at Keeneland in October.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Shannon Funeral Home in Shelbyville, Ky., with visitation scheduled for Thursday and a memorial service for 10:30 a.m. Eastern on Friday.