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Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Jockey William Lee 'Bill' Shoemaker's career began on March 19, 1949 at the age of 18, with the first of his victories coming a month later, on April 20, 1949. During his long career, Shoemaker won eleven Triple Crown races, spanning four decades: 4 Kentucky Derbies, 2 Preakness Stakes and 5 Belmont Stakes, as well as one Breeders' Cup Classic. In 1986, he became the oldest jockey ever to win the race at the age of 54. Throughout his career, Shoemaker won 8,833 races and rode for a record 40,350 races. After retiring as a professional jockey in 1990, he returned to the track as a trainer and was modestly successful. He also authored three murder mysteries using his racetrack experience. Opened on June 10, 1938, by the Hollywood Turf Club, Hollywood Park was renamed Betfair Hollywood Park on March 13, 2012. It was a thoroughbred and standard bred race course. The racetrack was closed after the final race on December 22, 2013. Shoemaker passed away on October 12, 2003 at the age of 72. Photograph caption dated June 12, 1961 reads, "Bushel-N-Peck, classy filly from the Rex Ellsworth barn, will risk her unbeaten record tomorrow in the $25,000 added Hollywood Oaks at Hollypark. Bill Shoemaker will be in the saddle as weekly racing resumes at the popular Inglewood plant."
Shoemaker, Bill,--1931-2003 Betfair Hollywood Park (Inglewood, Calif.) Hollywood Park (Inglewood, Calif.) Jockeys--United States Horse racing Horse trainers Racetracks (Horse racing) Horses Men Inglewood (Calif.) Portrait photographs
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