The 1972 Preakness came to mind when Pat Molder mentioned that one of Cedar Vale's more successful and known personages was Eldon Nelson.
This year ... the filly Rachel Alexandra won the race. In 1973 Secretariot was victorious ... but in 1972 Eldon Nelson was the jockey atop a 19-1 longshot named Bee Bee Bee. I was watching the race and was so excited that one of Cedar Vale's own was the winning jockey.
Though I wasn't well acquainted with Eldon ... I did know him well enough to realize that he was a fine fellow. Wikipedia mentions that he was born in 1928 and is retired after competing primarily at tracks on the East Coast of the United States. He married Betty Rose Coffman (1930-2005) with whom he had two children.
For four decades he rode for some of the leading stables in the country including the renowned Calument Farm. Eldon is the third person to be inducted into the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Though he reportedly still lives on a farm near Cedar Vale, he grew up during the Great Depression around Tonkawa and Ponca City before leaving home to work with horses.
It is said that before this year's Preakness, Nelson picked 9-5 favorite (and winner) Rachel Alexandra to be victorious.
6 comments:
Eldon dines often at the Hilltop Cafe. His health is somewhat precarious now and he has regular visits to the clinic and his Doctor. His mind and memory are just fine. There is a framed photo on display in the cafe of Eldon and his winning mount when he won the Preakness. Betty (his wife) wrote a little book about their life while they were following the race circuit. I can't remember the name of it. Maybe I'll find out.
So, another Cedar Vale hero, just like Grant Utt, Don Cox, and Jim Hill!! Nice to hear about more famous CV folks.
...but perhaps the most famous of all ... WW!
Eldon's daughter married Randy Magnus, son of Gene and Maxine Duncan Magnus. They live in Ponca City.
That would be my great uncle. Still as rowdy as ever.
I am very sorry to say that my Uncle, and one of the greatest men I've ever known; passed yesterday March 16, 2012. He was a great man and I'm very proud of my daughter Brianna, 19, who stood by his bedside and held his hand as he went to join his beloved Bride Betty. We will all miss Eldon but the world was a better place because of his presence here.
Chuck Green
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