I always considered Clyde Rice the patriarch of the Rice racing family. I learned about him when I was practically a kid growing up at Belmont Park.
Back then the first we saw of two-year olds were in 5 Furlong Maiden Special Weight races and they were usually dominated by “Blue Blood’ farms and trainers of which there were too many to name.
Every once in a while a man named Clyde Rice would ship one in to run against the big guns. I learned young and at the expense of my bankroll not to take anything this man thought enough to bring to New York lightly. It wasn’t long before I was smiling ear to ear when I saw the name Clyde Rice on an overnight. I am not surprised he started or was instrumental in a great racing family. Extremely nice people too.
To the family, my prayers and condolences. Rest in Peace Clyde, and thank you for many a winner..
