California Steward Pete Pedersen Dies

Pete Pedersen, a respected racing official and an Eclipse Award of Merit winner, died Aug. 5 from complications of a recent fall suffered outside his Arcadia, Calif., home. He was 92.

A Seattle native, Pedersen worked at nearly every track on the West Coast, starting at Longacres, where he ran the teletype. He also worked as a publicity director and wrote for such publications as The Blood-Horse, the Los Angeles Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Daily Racing Form.

Pedersen is best remembered in his role as a track steward. He was a steward in California for 50 years and served in that capacity in the inaugural Breeders’ Cup in 1984 through 2005.

Contested at Hollywood Park, the1984 Breeders' Cup featured the disqualification of Fran’s Valentine from first to 10th in the Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) and Outstandingly being named the winner, and the disqualification of Gate Dancer from second to third in the Classic (gr. I), won by Wild Again. Slew o’ Gold, part of the favored 3-5 entry, was moved up to second.

Pedersen, who earned an Eclipse Award of Merit in 2002, is one of two stewards to earn the award, the other being Keene Daingerfield in 1985.

Pedersen also won the Laffit Pincay Jr. Award, which is given to an individual who has served racing with integrity, extraordinary dedication, determination, and distinction.

Pedersen is survived by his longtime partner, Marlene Crain, and sons Craig and Michael from a previous marriage.

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