Ledford dead; called 15 Derbies

Cawood Ledford, a broadcasting icon who called 15 runnings of the Kentucky Derby for CBS Radio, died Wednesday in his native Harlan, Ky., after a lengthy bout with cancer. He was 75.

Ledford was known primarily as the voice of the University of Kentucky basketball and football teams, but he also was a familiar voice to Kentucky racing fans during the Keeneland meets and around Derby time. Ledford worked for WHAS TV and radio in Louisville during his 40-year career.

Ledford retired in 1992 and moved to a farm near Harlan in eastern Kentucky. He is survived by his wife, Frances.