Former Hollywood Park head Marje Everett dies

by Brisnet.com

Marje Everett, the longtime chairwoman of Hollywood Park, died Friday morning

at her West Los Angeles home. She was 90.

A native of New York, Everett, who grew up in a racing family -- her father

Benjamin Lindheimer owned Arlington Park and the now defunct Washington Park in

Illinois -- spent a great portion of her adult life in race track management.

She took over as chairwoman at both Arlington and Washington following her

father's death in 1960.

After leaving Illinois and selling her interest in both tracks, Everett came

to California, acquiring stock in Hollywood Park, eventually joining management.

She was on the board of directors from 1972-91 and served as chairman, chief

executive officer and president of the track from 1985-91. She resigned after

losing a proxy fight to R.D. Hubbard.

During her tenure, Hollywood Park twice hosted the Breeders' Cup, including

the inaugural event in 1984.

The Pick Six originated at the track in 1980, a forerunner to the Perfect Six

which started in 1983, adding the carryover provision that continues with the

current Pick Six.

On May 4, 1980, the track had what remains its largest on-track crowd

(80,348) thanks primarily to a tote bag giveaway. More than 68,000 were in

attendance when Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew suffered his first defeat to

J.O. Tobin in the Grade 1 Swaps Stakes on July 3, 1977.

"She was certainly an important part of racing in California for a long

period of time,'" said Hollywood Park general manager Eual Wyatt, Jr., who

worked as racing secretary for more than 15 years under Everett. "She was very

sincere about her love for racing. She tried to do everything in the best

interest of both patrons and horsemen. She tried to look out for everyone."

Retired Hall of Fame jockey Laffit Pincay Jr. remained close friends with

Everett, saying he last spoke to her about two weeks ago.

"She was one of my closest friends," he said. "She was always very good to me

and was very close to my first wife (Linda) and my children.

"The thing I admired about her was her love of racing. She always wanted the

best for racing. The last time I saw her was about two months ago and we had a

really good conversation."

In addition to her career in management, Everett also was a horse owner. The

best of her Thoroughbreds was Stardust Mel, who captured the Grade 1 Charles H.

Strub Stakes and Santa Anita Handicap in 1975. Trained by Charlie Whittingham,

Stardust Mel was ridden by Bill Shoemaker, another of her very close friends.

Services are pending for Everett.