Trainer Molly J. Pearson dies at age of 56

Trainer Molly J. Pearson, who won more than 900 races in a career spanning nearly 40 years, died Wednesday, according to family and friends. She was 56.

Pearson won 914 races, and her runners had purse earnings of more than $11 million. Her best year came in 2005, when she won 54 races and had purse earnings of more than $645,000. This year, she had won 18 times from 110 starters and had purse earnings of $245,453.

Her last runner was Tactical Attack, who finished second in the Coyote Springs Stakes at Arizona Downs on Tuesday.

Pearson raced primarily in Arizona and California, and had runners at both Arizona Downs and Del Mar at the time of her death. The horses in California are being moved to other trainers. Five 2-year-olds went to Eric Kruljac, who also races in Arizona and California, according to Cynthia George, a long-time assistant to Pearson.

According to a Facebook post from her sister, Leslie Ivanchan, Pearson “sustained a head injury about 6 weeks ago and we suspect that is the reason for her untimely passing.”

Turf Paradise, where Pearson raced for years, put out a Twitter post saying, “Molly’s determination & love for everyone (two or four legged) will forever echo around the barns and grandstands of AZ and CA racing.”

Pearson is survived by her husband, Regan Anderson, her sister, niece Chelsea Griggs, mother-in-law Jane Anderson, and her stepchildren. Services have yet to be scheduled.