Richard "Ritchie" James Pelkowski died on February 29, 2004, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, after a brief illness.  Mr. Pelkowski was born on July 15, 1956, in Cicero, Illinois.  After completing high school in the mid 1970s, Ritchie started his lifelong horse career grooming and training at the Chicago area racetracks.  He then had the privilege of working on the Grand Circuit during the heydays of the late 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.  Mr. Pelkowski worked for several of the best Standardbred stables in the world, including the powerful Billy Haughton Stable and Continental Farms.  He ended his Grand Circuit career with the Dick Richardson Stable in the mid 1990s, when he decided to put down some roots in beautiful Lexington, Kentucky.  He continued to work at the Red Mile, until his illness, last working for the Pete Foley Stable.  Mr. Pelkowski played a role in the success of many great racehorses over his career, specializing mostly in trotters.  He has many friends all over the harness racing world and will be greatly missed by his peers and his horses.  Mr. Pelkowski was laid to rest in the Lexington Cemetery, in Lexington, Kentucky.  Friends of Ritchie's are planning to purchase a headstone for his grave.  Many horsemen at the Red Mile are making donations toward the cost.  If you would like to make a donation or can provide contact information for any of his relatives, please contact John & Diane Shawback at: 1031 Highland Park Dr., Lexington, KY  40505; or e-mail: dianeshawback@insightbb.com

Note: While working for Dick Richardson, one of Ritchie's charges was Padre Hanover.
He is now a stallion in the state of Indiana.