Secretariat Trainer Lucien Laurin Dies

Hall of Fame trainer Lucien Laurin, who saddled Secretariat to the Triple Crown in 1973, died Monday at 88.

Laurin died at Baptist Hospital. He broke his hip in a fall last week and died after complications from surgery, according to a friend of the family who spoke from Laurin’s home in Key Largo.

After winning 161 races as a jockey, Laurin began a 45-year training career in 1942, working in New England. He trained for Reginald Webster and A.B. Hancock Jr. and then moved to Meadow Stable, where he won five of six Triple Crown races with Riva Ridge and Secretariat in 1972 and 1973.

“It’s a sad day for me,” said Ron Turcotte, who rode Secretariat and Riva Ridge for Laurin. “He was like a father to me. I can’t say enough for him.”

Laurin had 36 stakes winners but none more memorable than the two Meadow Farms stars.