Longtime Washington based horseman Craig Roberts has passed away. He had contracted pneumonia while recovering from a pair of strokes suffered last winter. Craig Roberts was a successful trainer at Longacres for years then later at Emerald Downs. He first got his trainers license in 1965 and developed one of the most dominant racing stables in the northwest. The dressing the part has been mentioned but I recall people holding him by a higher description - that of a horseman. One that looked for the good of the horse, able to get along with difficult horses and find a way to bring out the good in a horse.
During the off season in Washington he'd move horses to Bay Meadows and Golden Gate. He was the only Washington based trainer to saddle a Grade I winner. He amassed 39 stakes wins at Longacres, 5th all time, and 8 stakes wins at Emerald Downs.
That Grade I winner was a most unlikely, prospect. While Slewacide is a respected sire few people seriously look at Tennessee bred Thoroughbreds. Claimed and set on another course, the fiery tempered gelding rose through the ranks. His name was Slew of Damascus, winner of 16 races from 48 starts, $1,420,353 and winner of the 1994 Hollywood Gold Cup at Hollywood Park. The gelding also set records at Yakima Meadows and Del Mar and still is tied with Sky Jack fr the Washington state record of 1:33 for a dirt mile. The gelding had his final win in the 1997 FSN Handicap at Emerald Downs.
Before then he campaigned Rock Bath, 1971 Washington bred Horse of the Year and Dave's REality, winner of the first WTBA Lads Stakes in 1982. The 2002 Gottstein Futurity at Emerald Downs win with Condotierri showed he still knew how to produce a winner, with 15 horses in training including the 2007 Sprinter of the meet Westsideclde and Exclusive Eagle.
Roberts is by survived by Connie, his wife of 38 years.
Keywords: Bay Meadows, Craig Roberts, Emerald Downs, Golden Gate Fields, Longacres, Rock Bath, Slew of Damascus, thoroughbreds, trainer, Washington
