NEWS
Canterbury, Turf Paradise trainer Bango dies
Posted: Monday, September 15, 2008 6:00 PM
George Bango, a longtime trainer at Canterbury Park and Turf Paradise, died on September 11 at his home in Phoenix. He was 74.
Bango collected his biggest victory in the 2004 Claiming Crown Iron Horse Stakes with Superman Can.
“It was one of the highlights of my career,” said jockey Scott Stevens, who had a close relationship with Bango. “Three weeks before the race, he wasn’t planning on running him, but the horse got good at the right time and ran the race of his life.”
Bango was elected president of the Arizona Benevolent and Protective Association last spring.
“It was a short presidency,” said his widow, Mary. “He was kind of a troubleshooter there for a few months, while he was able.”
A native of New Haven, Connecticut, Bango started training professionally in 1978. He recorded 233 wins from 2,329 starters that earned $1,421,240.
A vigil is scheduled for Monday night at Menke Funeral Home in Phoenix. A mass and Christian burial is scheduled for Tuesday at St. Rafael's Catholic Church. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery.
