Mountaineer to remember legendary trainer

Mountaineer Race Track (actually Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort) will host a "Celebration of Life" gathering today in remembrance of the late Dale Baird who died in a highway accident on December 23. Racing at Mountaineer is on hiatus until January 19th, and the event is being offered to provide "an opportunity for the Mountaineer family, the community, his family and friends to reflect upon his life and to share their memories of a very special person."

The one-time "Wizard of Waterford" owned most of the horses he trained, purchasing them privately and at smaller auctions. In The Blue Collar Thoroughbred, Gene McCormick called him "a giant of the claiming game," an apt description, especially in light of the fact that in a career spanning 45 years, Baird never won a graded stakes. He did, however, receive a Special Eclipse Award after reaching 9,000 wins in November 2004.

After his death, Bloodhorse published a rather lengthy biography of Baird, as well as a more personal portrait of the man from David Mullins. Dan Liebman offered an argument for his inclusion in the Hall of Fame, while over at ESPN, columnist Jeremy Plonk used Baird's career to pay homage to the small tracks, the "backbone" of the industry.

While reading all of this coverage, I noticed that few of the articles mentioned any of the horses Baird trained. True, some note that his first winner was New York, and his 9,000th winner was Frazee's Folly. But what of his Boy Genius, who won the Slipton Fell Handicap in 1999, 2000, and 2001? Or The Dancer, who set the Mountaineer record for 5-1/2 furlongs? Or Hot Hand, who won a $15,000 claimer in a stretch duel one August night in 2005 and paid for the drinks at the Quinella table?

Thanks for the memories, Mr. Baird.