Gary Sciacca (born March 10, 1960, in

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

) is an American

horse trainer A horse trainer is a person who tends to horses and teaches them different disciplines. Some responsibilities trainers have are caring for the animals' physical needs, as well as teaching them good behaviors and/or coaching them for events, which ...

in the sport of

Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...

horse racing Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...

. He has been involved in the racing industry for over forty years and has over 1,000 race wins.

Biography

Sciacca earned his first win as a professional trainer on October 21, 1981 at New York's

Aqueduct Racetrack Aqueduct Racetrack is a Thoroughbred horse racing facility and casino in the South Ozone Park, Queens, South Ozone Park and Jamaica, Queens, Jamaica neighborhoods of Queens, New York City, United States. Aqueduct is the only racetrack within ...

. In 1992, he conditioned

Saratoga Dew Saratoga Dew (foaled 1989 in New York) is an American Thoroughbred Champion racehorse. Bred by

American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly The American Champion Three-Year-Old Filly is an American Thoroughbred horse racing honor awarded annually to a female horse in Thoroughbred flat racing. It became part of the Eclipse Awards program in 1971. The award originated in 1936 when both ...

honors, the first New York-bred horse to win an

Eclipse Award The Eclipse Award is an American Thoroughbred horse racing award named after the 18th-century British racehorse and sire, Eclipse. An Eclipse Award Trophy is presented to the winner in each division. The trophy is made by a few small selected A ...

. Sciacca was charged in 2003 for giving a horse an illegal substance. On November 18, 2008, Sciacca began serving a 120-day suspension order issued by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board

fo

Under the Trainers Responsibility Rule, the Board found him accountable for a Milkshake (horse racing), milkshaking incident at his stable which occurred while he was on vacation

In 2013, he trained Saratoga Snacks to victory in the $250,000 Empire Classic Handicap for owner Bill Purcells. After being fired as the horse's trainer, Sciacca purchased the horse and managed his retirement. He earned his 1000th win in November 2021, just over four decades on from his first win.

References

External links

Gary Sciacca at the NTRA
1960 births Living people American racehorse trainers People from Brooklyn {{Authority control