Hulon "H. L." Womack, a leading trainer at River Downs and Latonia Race Course in the late 1960s and early ‘70s, died on Thursday at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Edgewood, Kentucky. He was 75. 

Womack, a native of Russell Springs, Kentucky, specialized in claiming horses and trained actively until he was hospitalized in October. He trained several stakes winners during his career, including Mighty Lonesome, P. J.’s Fortune, Vaders Force, and Lady of Fame.

Womack might best be remembered as the trainer of Dina’s Playmate, an 11-year-old *Bolivar II gelding who set an American turf course record of 2:25 for 1 7/16 miles on August 30, 1969, at River Downs. 

"He probably won the trainers title between River Downs and Latonia about ten times or more," said former jockey Vince Clark, who rode extensively for Womack at the height of the trainer’s career and was aboard for Dina’s Playmate’s record-setting win.

"He was hard-working and down to earth, usually had about 20 head in training,” Clark said. “He was a real successful good old boy back in the day."

Services for Womack are scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday at Bernard's Funeral Home, 367 N. Main Street in Russell Springs.

Visitation is expected to take place on Sunday, but hours have not been set.