Galen Joseph May had a passion for horses.
So great was his love for them that even after retiring from 31 years of barn work he shepherded promising thoroughbreds all over the country for Northern California's most prominent trainer.
He also had a penchant for gambling, and Sacramento County sheriff's detectives are investigating whether that played a factor in his death.
Deputies found May, 69, dead in his Antelope apartment Saturday afternoon after a concerned neighbor noticed May's front door ajar and a body lying on the floor.
There were no immediate signs of trauma, nor evidence of forced entry into the Watt Avenue apartment, said sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Tim Curran. The coroner's office ruled the death a homicide Monday.
Exactly when and how May was killed remain a mystery. A motive, too, remains elusive, although detectives are interested in learning more about his gambling.
May was known to frequent Thunder Valley Casino especially on "Silver Senior Wednesdays," Curran said.
"We believe he was there last Wednesday," the spokesman said. "We're asking anyone who knew him at Thunder Valley
to give us a call so we can talk about his habits."
Detectives also are searching for May's car, a black, 1999 Toyota Solara with a California license plate of 4FRH715.
