Michigan Mourns The Loss Of Beloved Thoroughbred Horsemen, Larry Uelmen.

A lot of stunned friends right now at racetracks from Michigan and beyond who knew Larry.

A genuine good natured personality with a smile that will be missed forever.

A man so knowledgeable he helped create the Michigan Racing Law of 1995, which legalized full-card simulcasting for the states tracks. Elected President of the MIHBPA in the late 90s he would hold that position through the early 2000’s.

I will never forget watching Pongo Boy’s races at the Detroit Race Course in the mid 90’s. He would bring trainer Larry Uelmen 12 stake wins.

On Hazel Park’s opening night he would be one of the first faces I’d see, great big smile and welcoming handshake and hug. In 1996 the trainer I worked for was across from his barn. In all the years I worked on the backside I never ever heard one unkind word said about this man because it was never warranted.

Larry had a great sense of humor and always offered a helping hand to anybody who needed it. You never had to ask, he’d just was there for people. When Pinnacle Race Course opened, for me it had been ten long years since I had seen anybody since I didn’t travel to GLD. So many us shared a story or two from DRC that brought laughter.