Oklahoma Racing Official Cusimano Dies
Description:
Mike Cusimano, a long-time horse identifier for the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, died Jan. 13 in Sallisaw, Okla. He was 65 years old.
Cusimano worked for 31 years as a horse identifier in Oklahoma. He also tattooed horses for the Thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, American Quarter Horse Association, and other breed associations. Cusimano was proud of tattooing horses who ran in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I).
Before moving to Oklahoma, Cusimano was employed by the Colorado Racing Commission as a horse racing official and was a judge for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He rode bareback horses in PRCA Rodeos for several years.
Cusimano also is well known for the western art he created.