Report: Pimlico-based trainer David Howard dies at age 45

Pimlico-based trainer David Howard died Friday evening after a heart attack, Daily Racing Form reported. He was 45.

Howard, a native of Germantown, Md., began training in 2021 and compiled a career record of 250: 28-29-42 and earnings of $930,772. His first winner came in February 2022, when Hot Choice won a claiming race at Laurel.

This year, he had a record of 20: 3-3-3. He had two starters Friday at Laurel. His last winner was 4-year-old Friesan Fire filly Thencomemorning, who led gate to wire to win the fourth race at Laurel, a claiming race, by 4 3/4 lengths. He also sent out Goldrush Hottie, a 4-year-old daughter of Golden Lad, to a fifth-place finish in the next race, a maiden special weight. She was making her first start since July.

Howard's top earner was Jackson's Dixie, a 4-year-old filly who was 11: 4-2-2 for him before moving to another trainer at the start of this year.