Gordon Jones, L.A. horse-racing handicapper and writer, dies at 95

Gordon Jones, the popular handicapper and horse-racing writer for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, died Friday, four days after his 95th birthday, his daughter Joanne said.

Jones, a Whittier High and Whittier College alumnus, taught journalism at several universities before he was lured to the Herald Examiner in the 1960s by a group of sportswriters who had been students of his at USC.

“Prof. Gordon Jones,” as the byline on his daily handicap read, parlayed his work in the newspaper into writing books called “Gordon Jones to Win!” (1976) and “Smart Money” (1977) and hosting pre-race seminars at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park and Fairplex Park.

His tenure with the Herald Examiner ended in 1985 when he was arrested on misdemeanor bookmaking charges for transporting money to Santa Anita from his “Pick 6 Club” seminars, something Jones said he didn’t know was illegal. The bookmaking charges were dismissed, and Jones paid a $500 fine for lesser municipal-code violations.

Jones continued to host seminars and provide analysis on racing TV and radio up and down the state into his 80s.

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