Luis Palacios, trainer, dies

Luis Palacios, a perennial leading trainer on the Ohio racing circuit, died Thursday in an automobile accident in Wilmington, Ohio. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, Traudy.

Palacios, a native of Argentina, won his fifth River Downs training title at the summer meet that ended Sept. 5. Known fondly as "El Gran Senor" in acknowledgement of his horsemanship, Palacios was by far the dominant trainer for many years at Beulah Park and won with regularity when shipping to Thistledown, Mountaineer, Turfway Park, and other regional tracks. He trained six Ohio champions, including two voted horse of the year in the state: Alphablood (1991) and Major Adversary (1995).

The leading trainer at all future River meets will be honored with a memorial award dedicated to Palacios, said John Englehardt, the publicist at River Downs.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Allison and Rose Funeral Home in Taylor Mill, Ky. A funeral will be held Thursday at St. Pius in Edgewood, Ky., with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery in Ft. Mitchell, Ky.