Bodog Beat

Warren 'Jimmy' Croll passed away at the age of 88. (AP Images)

A member of thoroughbred racings Hall of Fame, Trainer Warren ‘Jimmy’ Croll passed away at the age of 88 at Monmouth Medical Center in Oceanport N.J. last Friday evening.

"One of the classiest guys I ever knew," said Bob Levy, who owned Bet Twice and Housebuster, and had horses with Mr. Croll for 30 years. "He trained horses hard. His theory was, if you're going to run in big races, you better be fit."

In his illustrious career, Mr. Croll can include such accomplishments as winning the 1987 Belmont Stakes by 14 lengths with Bet Twice, who also strongly contended for both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness that same year. He also won consecutive Eclipse awards for champion sprinter with Housebuster, as well as winning the award for Horse of the Year in 1994 with Holy Bull.

Many credit the success of Holy Bull solely to Mr. Croll. Willed to Mr. Croll by Rachel Carpenter, Holy Bull was bred for only $2,500, and won 13 of 16 races totaling almost $2.5 million.

Croll was more known in the horse racing world for his ability to spot young talent. The list of horses Croll had purchased and or trained over the years include the likes of Parka, Forward Gal, and Mr. Prospector, who went on to become one of the greatest sires of all time.

Croll attended University of Pennsylvania before leaving school to work at the racetrack. In 1946 he moved to New Jersey for the opening of Monmouth and never looked back. Widely regarded as one of the nicest figures in racing, Mr. Croll will be greatly missed.