Samuel Soileau, trainer, dead at 53

Trainer Samuel Soileau, 53, a regular on the Louisiana circuit since the late 1970's, died at his home Monday afternoon of an apparent heart attack.

Soileau, son of a prominent Louisiana horseman, J.Y. Soileau, was preparing to run his first horses at Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas, at the time of his death. His most recent stakes victory was with Zarb's Luck in the Gentilly Handicap at Fair Grounds on March 22.

Soileau is survived by his wife, Dianna. Services were scheduled for Friday at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home in New Orleans.