Longtime California equine tax attorney Craigo dead at 91
Richard Craigo, a leading equine tax attorney and a former regional president of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, died Oct. 6 at the age of 91, according to his friends.
Born in Hot Springs, Ark., in 1934, Craigo lived in Los Angeles for much of his life. As a tax attorney, he represented numerous clients in California racing, notably Bob and Beverly Lewis, Allen Paulson, Marty Wygod, Bill Shoemaker, and Charlie Whittingham, according to an obituary published by Santa Anita’s publicity department.
At the age of 42, Craigo was elected president of the HBPA’s California division, the youngest person to serve in that capacity. Among his accomplishments in those years was the development of a backstretch pension plan. Craigo served as a national vice president with the organization for three years in the late 1970s.
Craigo had a lifelong fascination with racing, often visiting Oaklawn Park in his hometown in his youth. After graduating from the University of Arkansas, Craigo served in the U.S. Air Force. He briefly worked on a farm in Kentucky after leaving the Air Force.
In California, Craigo initially worked at the famed Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena on contracts related to an unmanned moon lander, according to an obituary published by his family. Craigo attended law school at the University of Southern California in those years.
Survivors include his daughter, Brittany Maldonado.
There are plans for a celebration of life at a later date, according to family friend Noreen Sullivan.
:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.