Memorial service Tuesday for former rider/trainer Diaz

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. Pacific in the turf club at Golden Gate Fields for Antonio L. “Tony” Diaz, a top Northern California rider and trainer who died of cancer Monday at age 67.

Diaz was the leading rider on the Northern California circuit during the 1970s, winning riding titles at Golden Gate Fields and Bay Meadows, and he became a trainer following his retirement. He rode 2,505 winners before his retirement in 2002 and trained 441 winners from 2,421 starters, including Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies runner Meadow Rendezvous.