Allan Barker: First-rate journalist and close friend

Hard to believe the Sarge is gone. 

A first-rate journalist but more important a close friend (and a conduit for the latest news re horse racing) for many years.

We exchanged Christmas greetings just a couple of weeks ago reminiscing about our many racetrack adventures and planning to get together again. 

He was a regular visitor with us here in Sarasota, Florida, except the last couple of years when long-distance travel was an issue - and led him to say more than once, unsurprisingly, "I'm not entirely happy!"

Barbara, my wife, is as shaken as I am by this latest sad news. ■