Trainer Tim Salzman passes *The Racing Biz

Trainer Tim Salzman passes

The Laurel-based trainer had been battling cancer

• Frank Vesp
• February 8, 2026

Maryland-based trainer Tim Salzman died on February 7 after a battle with cancer, his wife Megan said on Facebook. He was 54.

Salzman recorded 425 training victories in a career that lasted from 2003 through 2025, generating more than $10.2 million in purse earnings from 2,958 career starts.

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Salzman’s early training years were his most productive, and he achieved $1 million in purse earnings three times, in 2005, 2007 and 2008. In the first of these he won a career-best 73 races, while in the last of these he netted a career high of more than $1.66 million.

Salzman’s top trainee was multiple Grade 2 winner Bsharpsonata, whom he guided through the most productive part of her career for Cloverleaf Farms II. Under his tutelage, the daughter of Preekstoel posted a four-race win streak, highlighted by victories in the Grade 2 Forward Gal and Grade 2 Davona Dale, both at Gulfstream Park. Those were the only victories of his career.

Salzman also trained Sensible Lady to a half-dozen stakes victories and more than $400,000 in earnings for Three Lyons Racing.

He was also the trainer of the fast grass sprinter Kosmo’s Buddy for Arnold and Adam Smolen. In 2008 she won the Crank It Up Stakes at Monmouth Park and two months later beat the boys in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint. Kosmo’s Buddy later gained even more fame as the mother of Horse of the Year Knicks Go.

Salzman was the son of trainer John Salzman, Sr., who conditioned Hall of Famer Xtra Heat, and the brother of Maryland trainer John Salzman, Jr.

“For those of you who know my brother Timmy, he battled cancer for a long time and he didn’t give in, but he couldn’t answer the bell for the final round,” John Jr. said. in a message to Laurel’s backstretch community. “The good Lord stopped the fight. Rest in peace brother, I love you.”

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