Canterbury Park to Hold Dark Star Memorial

Dark Star, a voice for and Minnesota racing, died Friday at the age of 66.

His name was George Chapple but from his first days as a handicapper for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, he went by the name Dark Star, chosen after the upset winner of the 1953 Kentucky Derby, according to a Canterbury blog post. 

From that day forward, anyone who met the man was certain of one thing: They would probably never meet another like him. George Chapple, Dark Star, the Dark Man, Star – he answered to all them – was one of a kind, the post continues.

Dark Star was a member of Canterbury’s Hall of Fame and was a host of the Canterbury Report.

A memorial in his honor will be held at Canterbury Park  at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9 in the Canterbury Paddock. The event is open to the public.

"This has been a very difficult weekend for Dark’s friends, and they are numerous," said Canterbury Park Spokesman Jeff Maday. "We do hope that everyone attends the memorial which really is a celebration of Dark Star’s life. Belmont Day (on Saturday) seemed fitting for a man who was the ambassador for racing in Minnesota."

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