Noted newspaper handicapper Jack Karlik dies at 85

Jack Karlik, a prominent newspaper handicapper whose career spanned more than 40 years for Southern California publications including Daily Racing Form and Pasadena Star-News, died Sunday at an assisted care facility in Los Angeles. He was 85.

Karlik began his career at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. He spent 20 years at Daily Racing Form, where his selections were published under the name “Sweep.” In 1983, Karlik became lead handicapper for the Star-News and affiliates, where he stayed for nearly 25 years until his retirement.

Colleagues referred to Karlik as “Dean,” as in dean of handicapping. Karlik consistently ranked among the leading newspaper handicappers based on winners at California tracks, and was considered one of the circuit’s top prognosticators in an era when the racing press included such noted turf writers and handicappers as Bion Abbot, Ernie Mason, Gordon Jones, and Jerry Antonucci.

Karlik was an enthusiastic and disciplined bettor, and a successful pick six player while teaming with press box colleagues in the 1980s and 1990s. His wagering style later focused on win bets and the daily triple (pick three).

Beyond his career as handicapper and bettor, Karlik also owned horses in partnership, including many with colleague Jeff Siegel. Those included stakes winner Aloha Prospector, Ms. Hapa Haole, and Something Supreme.

Born Oct. 14, 1932 in Manchuria, China, Jacob (“Jack”) Karlik was from a Russian-Jewish family that emigrated to California in the late 1930s. Karlik attended Fairfax High School and Los Angeles City College, and spent his entire life in Southern California.

Karlik, who stayed single, had no immediate family. Both parents and a sister are deceased. Karlik, who had been diagnosed with lung cancer and heart disease, is survived by a nephew and a niece.

A burial service is scheduled for Oct. 16 at Groman Eden Cemetery in Mission Hills, Calif., with a tentative time of 11 a.m.