Family, Friends Celebrate Dave Litfin at Saratoga

A celebration of a life well lived was held for renowned national handicapper Dave Litfin July 16 at Saratoga Race Course.

Family and friends gathered in the second floor Paddock Suite to honor Litfin, who died of cancer at the age of 64 on Nov. 17.

This was the first time his wife of 40 years, Robin, had been back to the track since last year’s closing weekend. 

Dave insisted they come to the track one more time. Even though he was very sick, the handicapper in him came through, like it had so, so many times before.

“He had to put money on his NYRA Bets card,” Robin said. “He bet a cold exacta and it came back like $600. Really?”

Those were the sort of stories circulating through the celebration, which served as a wake for Dave, who did not want any services when he passed.

The fifth race was named in his honor. Besides Robin, speakers at the ceremony included his son Sam, one of his daughters, Addy, and David Grening a long-time friend and former colleague at Daily Racing Form. Several others spoke when Robin invited anyone who wanted to talk about her husband to step up.

Dave was the New York handicapper for Daily Racing Form from 1991-2016 and later moved to South Florida where he was a chart caller for Equibase. He was also the author of a popular weekly handicapping column for BloodHorse titled “Litfin at Large.” In addition, he wrote several books on handicapping during his career.

“He didn’t care for the gossip, he didn’t care for the politics,” Robin said. “It was family and it was work. And the work he did was the air that he breathed. I think he would be humbled by today and embarrassed. He never wanted recognition; it was never about him.”