Richard McCarthy, handicapper and chart-caller, dies at 68

Richard Lowell McCarthy, a handicapper and Equibase chart-caller who worked in the Thoroughbred industry for decades, died Saturday at his home in Jackson, N.Y., after a long illness. He was 68.

McCarthy was born in New Orleans, where he attended Jesuit High School and was graduated from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, then became a clocker.

McCarthy worked as a handicapper for several publications, including Newsday (N.Y.) and The Racing Times before spending more than a decade as the Equibase chart-caller at the three New York Racing Association tracks, Aqueduct, Belmont Park, and Saratoga, before retiring in 2008 due to health issues.

McCarthy is survived by his longtime partner, Louisa Matthew, step-children Anna Judge and Sam Judge, and sisters Sharon and Barbara McCarthy.

No services are planned. The family said that donations in McCarthy’s memory may be sent to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.