Lester Balaski

Lester Balaski
Lester Balaski
Occupation	Jockey
Born	June 21, 1915; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Died	September 1, 1964 (aged 49); San Diego, California
Resting place	Live Oak Memorial Park,; Monrovia, California
Career wins	1,549
Major racing wins
	Texas Derby (1934, 1935); Cumberland Handicap (1935); Latonia Inaugural Handicap (1935); Mardi Gras Stakes (1935); American Derby (1937); Acorn Stakes (1937); Bay Shore Handicap (1937); Coaching Club American Oaks (1937); Edgemere Handicap (1937); Junior Champion Stakes (1937); Jerome Handicap (1937); Saratoga Cup (1937); Santa Catalina Cal-Bred Championship Stakes (1938); Santa Margarita Handicap (1938); Premiere Handicap (1939); Haggin Stakes (1940, 1941); Inglewood Handicap (1940); San Pasqual Handicap (1940); Del Mar Handicap (1941); Santa Barbara Handicap (1941); Arlington Futurity (1942); Washington Park Futurity Stakes (1942); Hollywood Lassie Stakes (1946); San Mateo Handicap (1946); Starlet Stakes (1946); Hollywood Oaks (1947); Bing Crosby Handicap (1947); La Jolla Handicap (1947) U.S. Triple Crown top placings:; Kentucky Derby 2nd (1935); Preakness Stakes 2nd (1940)
Racing awards
	Churchill Downs Champion Jockey; (1934 (Spring))
Significant horses
	Dawn Play, Mioland, Roman Soldier,; Can't Wait, Count Arthur, Occupation

Lester Anthony Balaski (June 21, 1915 – September 1, 1964) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey, a soldier who served his country during World War II, and a founding director and a First Vice-President of the Jockeys' Guild who died as a result of injuries suffered in an August 22, 1964, racing accident at Agua Caliente Racetrack in Mexico.^[1]^[2] A resident of Chula Vista, California, he had been transported from the racetrack to Mercy Hospital in San Diego, California where he died ten days later.^[3]