Two-Time Florida Derby-Winning Jockey Thornburg Dies
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Photo: Courtesy of Gulfstream Park
Buck Thornburg wins the 1980 Florida Derby aboard Plugged Nickle
Buck Thornburg, who won the 1980 Florida Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G1) with Plugged Nickle and a division of the 1977 Florida Derby with Coined Silver, passed away comfortably with family by his side this week.
Thornburg was 86.
A native of Muncie, Ind, where he rode his horse to school, Thornburg rode 3,433 winners from 27,258 mounts. He rode his first winner July 29, 1950, at Scarborough Downs in Maine, according to the New York Times.
Plugged Nickle, who won the Remsen Stakes (G2) and Laurel Futurity (G1) as a 2-year-old, entered the Florida Derby off a victory in the Hutcheson Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The heavy favorite, Plugged Nickle was guided by Thornburg to an easy victory. The Key to the Mint colt finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the second choice, a race won by the filly Genuine Risk.
Thornburg got the mount on Plugged Nickle before the Laurel Futurity.
"It was kind of a fate thing that we got Buck on him," trainer Tommy Kelly said after the Florida Derby. "We got to Pimlico late, and most of the riders were taken. Buck had rode a lot for me, so we put him up. He rode very well. Him and Nickle get along together."
Thornburg rode into his late 50s before retiring. He also won the 1983 Matchmaker Stakes (G2) and Long Look Handicap (G2) on the gray mare Luminaire, the 1986 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G3) on Willowy Mood, and the 1980 La Prevoyante Handicap on Jolie Dutch.
A memorial race will be held in Thornburg's name in the coming weeks at Gulfstream. He is survived by his two children, Marguerite and Jimmy, and five grandchildren.