Details provided by Michael Weitz, weitzcomm@aol.com
New York, June 1-Morton Finder, 82, a prominent
Standardbred horse owner and breeder, passed away in his sleep earlier today in
the VA Hospital in New York City. He was a native of
Brooklyn and a former Coast Guard officer during World War II.
A
legendary owner and breeder, Mr. Finder raced horses on the New York circuit at
Yonkers Raceway, the now-defunct Roosevelt Raceway, The Meadowlands and other
leading harness racetracks throughout the country dating back to the 1950's,
and was part of the ownership group of 1966 Triple Crown champion Romeo
Hanover.
Mr.
Finder was an astute and successful handicapper during harness racing’s heyday.
He
also co-owned leading Standardbred breeding farm, Pine Hollow Stud Farm, with
Monticello Raceway founder Charles Slutsky, and syndicated world renowned
harness racehorses including Triple Crown champion Niatross.
In later years, Mr. Finder owned and bred many
stakes horses as a partner with the late Lou Guida, racing under the
Finder-Guida Enterprises banner.
Mr. Finder was known for his philanthropy,
supporting such charities as Henry Street Settlement.
