JOHN F. MARTIN
Born: June 5, 1959, Riverside, California
Has won races at a rate of 25 percent or higher each of the past three years.
Owned a very impressive career win percentage of 24 percent through July 20, 2005.
Was the third-leading trainer at each of the past three Bay Meadows meetings (2005 winter/spring, 2004 fall, 2004 spring) and has also finished third at Golden Gate Fields twice (2004-2005 winter meeting, 2003-2004 meeting).
Has won races at a better than 30 percent clip at three Bay Meadows meetings: 2005 winter/spring, 31.4%; 2003 fall, 33.3%; and 2000 fall, 39.5%.
Took the training championship at the 2005 San Joaquin County Fair meeting in Stockton.
Won the 2004 Saratoga Handicap at Bay Meadows with Onebigbag, whom he had claimed out of his previous start for $50,000.
Has been involved with horses his entire life as he grew up on Alamo Ranch, a breeding, training and layup facility in Riverside that was owned and operated by his father, Jack.
Took out his trainer’s license in 1984 and started his career with Quarter Horses at Bay Meadows. Ran horses primarily at Bay Meadows, Los Alamitos and on the Northern California fair circuit through the 1980s.
Had great success with Appaloosas on the summer fair circuit and trained many stakes-winning Appys, including Papa John, who won 10 straight races.
Started to make the switch to thoroughbreds in the mid 1990s and competed full time at a thoroughbred meeting for the first time in 1997 at Bay Meadows.