Clyde Turk (November 15, 1907 – April 24, 1995) was an American jockey and trainer of thoroughbred racehorses. He began riding horses in the 1920s and in 1929 was riding at the new Agua Caliente Racetrack in Tijuana, Mexico. He competed at tracks throughout California and at the newly built Santa Anita Racetrack in Arcadia, California he rode the first-ever winner for trainer Noble Threewitt during the opening season in which he would also win important races such as the San Felipe Stakes and Santa Margarita Handicap,Los Angeles Times, January 6, 1935 the latter a race he would win three more times as a trainer.
In 1946, Turk retired from riding and turned to training thoroughbreds as a career.Los Angeles Times, March 5, 1968
1967 Kentucky Derby For owner Louis R. Rowan, Clyde Turk trained Ruken to a win in the 1967 Santa Anita Derby, the most important event for three-year-olds in California.New York Times, March 5, 1967 At Churchill Downs they then won the Stepping Stone Purse which prompted bettors to make him their third choice for the Kentucky Derby in which he would finish eighth.Churchill Downs, 1967 Kentucky Derby
Clyde Turk retired from racing on March 31, 1970.Los Angeles Times, April 1, 1970 He was living in Yuba City, California at the time of his death at age 87 in 1995.SSDI
References