Lewis Cenicola, who was a jockey and trainer but was best known as
the exercise rider for two-time Horse of the Year John Henry, died late
Sunday night. He was 66.
Cenicola was found to have pancreatic cancer less than three months
ago, and it subsequently spread to his liver. He was under hospice care
when he died at his home in Arcadia, Calif., just a few furlongs from
Santa Anita. He is survived by his wife, Donna. They had no children.
Funeral services are pending.
Cenicola was part of an entourage with John Henry that included Ron
McAnally, the Hall of Fame trainer, assistant Eduardo Inda and groom
Jose Mercado. They sent out John Henry to Horse of the Year titles in
1981 and again in 1984, when John Henry was age 9. A colorful,
entertaining character, Cenicola called John Henry “Papi,” and would
frequently sing “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” while en route to the
track atop John Henry.
Read More