Leslie L. Saunders, born November 7, 1953, passed away unexpectedly at home on September 7, 2026.

Horses were not simply Leslie's career-they were a lifelong passion and an enormous part of who she was. She devoted much of her life to the thoroughbred racing industry, working at racetracks throughout the country, including Narragansett Park, Suffolk Downs, Rockingham Park, Churchill Downs, Atlantic City Race Course, Monmouth Park, Delaware Park, and Philadelphia Park Racetrack. Her career in the horse industry also included working for the Horsemen's Purchasing Association and Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

Leslie worked her way through nearly every aspect of caring for and working with racehorses. She began as a hot walker and groom and, through years of hard work, experience, and a genuine love and understanding of horses, worked her way up to training them.

Leslie had a special gift when it came to horses-she had an eye for recognizing a good one. Some of her favorite times were spent attending thoroughbred horse sales in New York and Florida with her dear friend Elaine, doing what she loved most: looking for that next special horse.

One of the proudest moments of Leslie's racing career was winning the Pennsylvania Derby with Connect, a horse who held an especially meaningful place in her heart because she had cared for and helped raise him from the time he was a baby.

Anyone who knew Leslie knew exactly where they stood with her. She was tough, strong-willed, and never afraid to speak her mind. Brutally honest at times, Leslie didn't believe in sugarcoating things-if she had something to say, you were going to hear it. But beneath that tough exterior was an incredibly generous heart. She was fiercely loyal to the people she loved and would quite literally give you the shirt off her back. That combination of strength, honesty, loyalty, and generosity was simply Leslie, and those who knew and loved her wouldn't have wanted her any other way.

Leslie is survived by her daughter, Kerry, and her husband, Dave, and her beloved grandchildren, Gavin and Riley; her sister, Lisa Saunders Block and her husband, Ralph; her sisters-in-law, Alisa Saunders and Lisa Christiansen; her nephew Christopher Saunders and his wife, Emily, and their children of Rehoboth, Massachusetts; her niece Caitlin Saunders and her daughter; her niece Courtney Saunders; her niece Autumn Saunders and her daughter of Pawtucket, Rhode Island; and her nephew Adam Saunders and his wife, Cathy, and their children.

She was predeceased by her parents, Rachel H. Saunders and William H. Saunders, as well as her brothers, William H. Saunders and C. Stewart Saunders.

Leslie leaves behind a lifetime of stories, friendships, and memories, both within her family and throughout the horse racing community that was such an important part of her life. Her unmistakable personality, generous heart, and lifelong love of horses will be remembered by all those fortunate enough to have known her.

A memorial service to honor Leslie's life will be held at the Parx Grandstand, Cotillion Room, 3001 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020, on Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions to be made in Leslie's name to Gift of Life.