Friends, Family Honor Suzie O'Cain at Spa

Following the ninth race at Saratoga Race Course July 20, a group of friends, family, and colleagues of the late Suzie O'Cain lingered in the winner's circle. No one was in a hurry to leave after the initial running of the Suzie O'Cain Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies.

"She would have loved this," said Dr. C. Lynwood "Doc" O'Cain, her husband of 40 years. "I know she is smiling down on us."

Suzie O'Cain passed away in January in Saratoga Springs after battling breast cancer. 

The O'Cains managed Highcliff Farm in nearby Delanson for 23 years. 

She was a former member of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders' board of directors for more than 20 years and one of three Directors Emeriti at the time of her death. She was also a member of the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation's board of directors from 2003 to last August and also served as co-chairwoman of the NYTB's Political Action Committee and chairwoman of the NYTB's Media Committee.

"She had such a bigger than life personality," Tom Gallo, the NYTB president, said. "She made everyone smile, she made everyone laugh. She had such a big impact on the industry in New York."

The inaugural Suzie O'Cain was won by the Gary Sciacca-trained Dream Central.