Sports

Hall of Fame trainer Kelly dead at 93

Thomas J. Kelly, the retired Hall of Fame horseman whose 65 stakes winners included champion sprinter Plugged Nickle, died Friday in Hialeah, Fla., at age 93.

From a racetrack family of trainers that included his brother, Eddie, and sons Timothy, Patrick and Larry, Kelly took out his trainer’s license in 1945 after receiving two Purple Hearts during World War II.

Besides Plugged Nickle, winner of the 1979 Remsen and the Florida Derby, Wood Memorial, Jim Dandy and Vosburgh in 1980, Kelly’s major stakes winners included King’s Bishop, Topsider, Globemaster, Salt Marsh, Small Raja, Storm and Sunshine, Colonel Moran, Noble Dancer II and Sauce Boat.

Kelly also is credited with launching the career of Hall of Fame jockey Bill Hartack, and he was co-breeder of Evening Attire, the gallant gelding who earned $2.9 million while winning 10 stakes, including the 2002 Jockey Club Gold Cup while trained by Pat Kelly.

“He was the quintessential horseman who lived for the game,” said son Timothy, currently the clerk of scales for the New York Racing Association. “In addition to being a great horseman, he was a great husband and great father and grandfather.”

Kelly is survived by his wife Francis, to whom he was wed for 67 years, four sons, two daughters and numerous grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are pending.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com