Buried Treasure

Target Parking Lot Hides A Golden Past

Funerals are nothing new at Riverside and Broadway. Four cemeteries near the intersection have welcomed local residents into eternity since 1849. But who knew one of Sacramento’s monumental early sports figures was buried across the street, under the Target store parking lot?

It’s true. This tomb contains no ordinary athlete. Buried at least 6 feet down near the middle of the parking lot is Yolo King, also known as the Big Horse With the Gold Tooth. He was among the best California thoroughbred racehorses ever.

My friend Bill Conlin was obsessed with Yolo King, though he never saw the horse run. Bill was the city’s most celebrated sportswriter during a 60-year career that began in 1937. He was the perfect scribe to chronicle an