Francisco C. Lovato

Francisco Concepcion Lovato better known as Frank Lovato, 88, of Annville passed away Friday, February 27, 2026.

Born September 17, 1937, in Sena, New Mexico, he was a son of the late Delfino and Rita (Saiz) Lovato and the widower of Patricia (Pat) A. Glorioso-Lovato since May 2025. Frank was preceded in death by his three brothers, Cipriano, Chris and Paul Lovato and survived by his four sisters: Vitalia Garcia of Portales, Patricia Smeal of Portales, Felis Simpkins of Wildorado, TX and Grace Peterson of Vega, TX. Maryann Stanley, Frank’s first wife and the mother of his four children, currently resides in Florida. She and Frank remained very close and supportive of each other over the years.

Frank was a professional thoroughbred jockey whose career spanned from the late 1950s into the early 1990s. He remained one of the leading jockeys in the Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey circuits during the 1960s and 1970s. Nicknamed the "Giant Killer" during the '60s, as he piloted many upsets in major stakes events. Most notably, he rode Exceedingly to defeat the legendary champion Damascus with jockey Bill Shoemaker. This was a massive upset winning by a nose in the William duPont Jr. Handicap on July 8, 1967, at Delaware Park. His career included many major stakes victories, starting with winning the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes in Saratoga aboard Rose Trellis for Foxcatcher Farm while he was still an apprentice jockey. Other major victories include the Delaware Handicap, the Dixie Handicap, the Gardenia, the Diana Handicap, the Molly Pitcher, and the Barbara Fritchie Handicap to name a few. Some of the most notable horses he has ridden were Open Fire, Alma North, Twin Time, and Kings Palace.

Frank's riding career ended during a morning training accident at Philadelphia Park (now Parx) in the mid-90s, when it was decided that riding was no longer an option for him. He teamed up with accomplished horse trainer Patricia (Pat) Glorioso who also had a background in nursing, with the ambition of owning and training a few horses together before they eventually married. They moved close to Penn National Racecourse in Grantville PA where Frank spent his mornings working with the horses in the stable area and Pat became the track nurse. During the races, Frank would spend time with friends and other horseman in the grandstand along with Pat at the track’s first aid room. Pat also recently passed away on May 13, 2025.

Interests and hobbies: Frank enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, and spending time at the track with the horses, Pat and his friends.

Surviving are his children: Leiann (Lovato) Jimenez, Timothy Concepcion Lovato, Cindy Lovato and Shawn Francis Lovato, better known as Frank Lovato, Jr., the name he took for his racing career to honor his father.

Grandchildren: Megan (Lovato) Hodgkiss, Shawn Eric Lovato, and Timothy Charles Lovato, Jamie, Michael, and Shayna Beck, Kayla Jimenez, Shawna, Justin, Chad and Mary Lovato.

Great Grandchildren: Owen, Dani and Cely Tal. Allison Drumm, Sadie and Jake Horgkiss. Julian and Gaia Lovato. Kameron, Jack, Robbie and Bradley Hubbard. Nevaeh and DayShawn Preston.

A memorial service and time of visitation will be held in the chapel at Penn National Race Course, Grantville. Please check back to this obituary for an update.

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