Former Jockey and Trainer Johnny Adams Dies at 79

Former jockey and trainer Johnny Adams died at his home in Arcadia Saturday after a long illness. He was 79.

Before retiring in 1958, Adams rode for 24 years and finished with 3,270 victories including wins in the 1954 Preakness on Hasty Road and two in the Santa Anita Handicap on Kayak in 1939 and War Knight seven years later.

Adams, who is survived by his wife, Pat, and three grandchildren, then began training and among those he conditioned with Niarkos, who won the San Juan Capistrano in both 1967 and ‘68; J.O. Tobin, who upset Seattle Slew in the 1977 Swaps Stakes; Big Raff; Montespan and Relaunch. He was inducted into racing’s Hall of Fame in 1965.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Live Oak Cemetery in Monrovia. In lieu of flowers, Adams’ family has asked that donations be made either to the Shoemaker Foundation, the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund or the Disabled Jockeys Fund.