Mary R. Odom

A new children's book set against the backdrop of Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has been released. Ollie the Oaklawn Owl: Whoooo's That Jockey? is the second book in an educational series written by Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form. The work is illustrated by retired jockey and award-winning artist Renee Torbit. In his latest adventure, main character Ollie learns about the courage it takes to ride racehorses, the equipment jockeys wear, and why racing silks are different colors. "Mary's books provide our youth a great tool to better...

Mary R. Odom, widow of George P. "Maje" Odom, passed away Nov. 10 after a long illness. Odom owned Marydel Farm from 1960 until 1987, and with her husband, campaigned numerous stakes winners such as Orbiter, Waggley, Lachesis and others. In 1964, she joined with Allaire DuPont and Anna Sasso to develop a Mid-Atlantic nursery, the Maryland Stallion Station. In 1965 the partnership dissolved and Odom continued the project and stood Nail, Sunrise Flight and TV Commercial at the nursery before Eddie Tayler bought the facility in 1968 to make...