FLORENCE, Kentucky — A 28-year-old up-and-coming jockey was killed early today in a Northern Kentucky crash.
Euclyn “Pede” Prentice Jr. of St. Croix was killed in a crash around 12:30 a.m. today near the intersection of Houston Road and Hansel Avenue in Florence.
According to officials with the Florence Police Department, Prentice struck the driver’s side of a Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) bus at the intersection.
Loved one’s say the crash happened after Prentice left to go home after having dinner with friends.
Prentice was thrown from his vehicle, crash investigators said, and was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No one inside the TANK bus was injured.
Former track announcer- Ed Meyer called Prentice one of Belterra’s bright and rising stars.
“He was just starting to make his way into the racing game,” Meyer said. “Twenty-eight years old. It is such a horrible loss. Words will never do it justice. He was part of our family here. He was part of our racing family. The fans loved him. “
A beloved jockey and a father of an eight-year-old girl in St. Croix, loved ones said Prentice was more than a sportsman.
“He is from the Virgin Islands, and I will tell you, there are people like myself that are from here and love him. He can’t be replaced,” horse jockey John McKee said.
“Pede was home everywhere he went. Everywhere was home for Pede. He loved racing, but he loved people even more,” Meyer said.
Affectionately nicknamed Pede from his grandfather, those who knew him say his charisma and heart will forever be remembered.
“He was loved, he was kind. He had a kind soul. He had a kind spirit. Very giving,” McKee said.
“He had that smile, handshake, hug and hi five,” Meyer said.
He was described as a tenacious spirit who encouraged those around him to never give up.
“I will never forget it. His motto was ‘prove them wrong.’ I will never forget that,” Mckee said.
Belterra held a moment of silence today after a race in honor of Prentice and hopes to do more soon.
Boone County Coroner Missy Rittinger said Prentice of Elsmere, Kentucky died shortly after midnight.
https://www.kentucky.com/sports/horses/keeneland/article230881424.html