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Mike Shapira, owner of Jug winner Colt Fortysix, dies

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May 26, 2009

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Mike Shapira, whose Proudfoot Farms of Franklin, Mich., owned the 1984 Little Brown Jug champion Colt Fortysix and the world-champion Albert Albert, died Sunday, May 24, after a long battle with cancer. He was 67.

Although he owned several local stars over the years, Mr. Shapira came to national prominence in 1984 when his 3-year-old colt pacer, Colt Fortysix, became the sport�s all-time fastest racehorse when he won for trainer-driver Chris Boring in 1:50.3 at Springfield, Ill. Colt Fortysix then proved that effort was no fluke as he captured the Jug at the Delaware, Ohio fairgrounds in straight heats.

In 1987 the Boring-trained and driven Albert Albert became the fastest freshman of all-time on a half-mile track, capturing the Kentucky Pacing Derby at Louisville Downs in 1:55.1. Albert Albert also won the Fox Stakes that year. He counted among his sophomore victories a heat of the Little Brown Jug, but he eventually finished sixth in the final. He finished his racing career with earnings of more than $1.2 million.

As operator of the suburban-Detroit based advertising agency W.B. Doner & Co., Mr. Shapira is credited in 1985 with creating the advertising slogan �In harness racing, it all comes down to the Breeders Crown� for the Breeders Crown races.

Mr. Shapira is survived by his wife, Carole Gall; a son, Jacob; daughters Kim Bowman and Michele Lyons; a brother, Steven; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister, Jacqueline Zimmerman.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Davidson/Hermelin Chapel at Clover Hill Park Cemetery in Birmingham.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, 6735 Telegraph Rd., Bloomfield Hills, Mich. 48301.

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