Longtime N.J. trainer Ben Perkins Sr. dies at 89

Ben Perkins Sr., a fixture as a trainer on the New Jersey Thoroughbred racing circuit since 1958 whose 854 career winners included 1981 Grade 1 Haskell Invitational winner Five Star Flight, died at the age of 89, his family announced.

Funeral services are pending.

Perkins took out his trainer’s license in 1958 and trained at Garden State Park, Atlantic City Race Course, the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park before his retirement in 1999. He trained 11 graded-stakes winners, with Five Star Flight winning the 1981 Haskell by five lengths over heavily favored Lord Avie. Conveyor was his other Grade 1 winner, capturing the 1995 Meadowlands Cup.

His horses earned more than $13 million overall.

Monmouth Park honored Perkins with the Virgil “Buddy” Raines Distinguished Achievement Award, the track’s most prestigious honor, in 2007.

He won his first race at Monmouth Park in 1958.

After his retirement from training, he set up and managed several racing partnerships and stables well into his 80s.

Perkins is survived by his wife Geraldine, son Ben Perkins Jr., daughter Pinky, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.