Veteran trainer Henry Moreno celebrated his 83rd birthday with friends and fellow horsemen Tuesday morning at Clockers’ Corner.
“I’ve had a good life,” said Moreno, who could easily pass for
someone 10 years younger. “I was raised on a ranch in Corona and we
milked 120 cows a day. My dad had a lot of horses and cattle and I guess
you could say all that hard work has been good for me.”
Moreno enjoyed a chocolate birthday cake with trainers Mel
Stute, Barry Abrams and Don Collins, along with assistant trainer (to
Don Warren) Tim Reavey, owners Madeline and Harris Auerbach, exercise
rider Chris Aplin and owner Yip Quan.
Moreno, who started out with Quarter Horses, saddled his first
winner in 1950 and is best known as the conditioner of two powerful,
multiple stakes-winning South American mares, Tizna and Sangue. He also
trained the multiple Grade I winning filly Lite Light prior to her being
sold to rapper MC Hammer.
Moreno also developed Grade I stakes-winning sprinter Sam Who, but at age 83, he’s looking forward, not back.
“I’ve got (California-bred) Spud Spivens here and I’m getting
him ready for the (Oct. 13) the Cal Cup. He’s the best horse I’ve had
in quite a while.”
Here’s hoping the affable Moreno has many more birthday candles in his future.