Lester Anthony Balaski (June 21, 1915 – September 1, 1964) was an American Thoroughbred horse racing jockey, a soldier who served his country during World War II, and a founding director and a First Vice-President of the Jockeys' Guild who died as a result of injuries suffered in an August 22, 1964, racing accident at Agua Caliente Racetrack in Mexico.
After he won the 1935 Texas Derby with Roman Soldier, the colt had different riders for his next starts but trainer and part owner Phil Reuter chose Balaski to ride in the big event at Churchill Downs.
[6] In the 1936 Kentucky Derby, Balaski rode Edward R. Bradley's 15 to 1 outsider Bien Joli to a fifth-place finish and in the 1938 running was third aboard Can't Wait.
A story in the July 6, 1959 Los Angeles Times reported that "In a continuation of the spectacular performances which have marked his comeback Jockey Lester Balaski a veteran of 26 years on the turf rode four winners".
[12] Balaski had been riding weekends at Agua Caliente Racetrack when he was injured in a racing accident on August 22, 1964, that led to his death ten days later.