Saratoga notes: Brown, equine dentist, dies at 68

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Chris Brown, an equine dentist who worked on the backstretch of New York Racing Association tracks for decades, died Sunday from heart disease. He was 68.

Brown, who worked on champions such as Personal Ensign, Cigar, Empire Maker, and Mineshaft, worked for such notable horsemen as Bobby Frankel, Bill Mott, Christophe Clement, Shug McGaughey, and Neil Howard.

A New Jersey native, Brown began his career with horses as a teenager working for the U.S. Equestrian Team. In his 20s, Brown managed several A-circuit horse show stables, including that of John Leib when he and his wife, Kathryn, campaigned champion Model Cadet. Brown kept contact with the horse show world throughout his life, moving many former racehorses on to careers as show horses. Perhaps his most famous find was Sloopy, who won the bronze medal in show jumping at the 1972 Olympics.

Brown led the fight to get dentists back on the grounds of New York tracks after state regulators ruled them off over licensing issues.

A memorial service for Brown will be held at a later date. Donations can be made in memory of Chris Brown to The Racetrack Chaplaincy of New York.