Former jockey McHargue named chief steward in California

ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) Darrel McHargue, who as a jockey won the 1975 Preakness Stakes and has been a racing official for 27 years, was named to the newly created position of chief steward in California.

The California Horse Racing Board announced Thursday that McHargue will handle daily supervision of all stewards at the state's racetracks. Executive director Rick Baedeker says the board's goal is to be consistent in the interpretation of racing board rules statewide.

McHargue has been a California steward since 1990. He begins his new job Dec. 26, when Santa Anita's winter meet opens. He will work with stewards to review race films and discuss and evaluate decisions and rulings.

The 61-year-old McHargue won an Eclipse Award in 1978 as the nation's outstanding jockey. He rode in eight Kentucky Derbies, with his best finish being second in 1977 aboard Run Dusty Run. He finished in the money with both of his Belmont Stakes mounts in 1975-76.

He retired from riding in 1988 after having won 2,553 career races and $39,609,526 in purse earnings.