Larry Smith, Texas breeder, dies

Larry T. Smith, a past president of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, died Friday after a battle with cancer. He was 68. Smith was the Texas breeder of the year in 1998, when his Thomas Jo finished third to Victory Gallop in the Belmont Stakes.

Smith and his wife, Mary Jo, operated Hidden Valley Thoroughbreds in Pilot Point, Texas. Smith was the breeder of Thomas Jo, a three-time stakes winner who was the 1998 Texas-bred horse of the year. He later sold that son of Strong Performance, a stallion he stood at Hidden Valley.

Other stakes winners bred by Smith included Wild Hits, Sir Pucker, and Talkin to Mom Roo.

Smith was a member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association board for 10 years, and served as its president from 2005-07. He was an investor in the sales pavilion at Lone Star Park, and was the TTA's member of the year in 1995.

Smith is survived by his wife, Mary Jo, and three children, Sherri Farrill, Michael Smith and Jamey Smith. There will be a visitation at 1 p.m. Central on Tuesday at Midway Baptist Church, 9540 Hwy. 377 S., in Pilot Point. Services will follow at 2 p.m.