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WINNER’S
CIRCLE
Week of July 15 – July 21, 2022
Learning from Last Year Antonucci is Hoping for a Better Saratoga Season
Philip Antonacci and Fauci.
Lindys Pride, winner of the 1969 Triple Crown of Trotting.
With an extensive harness racing and horse racing background, Philip Antonacci looks to build upon last season’s Saratoga debut based on his experiences. by Tony Podlaski
for Saratoga TODAY Photos provided.
T
he racetrack and backstretch can provide learning experiences for anyone, regardless of age and experience, who works with the horses.
With the foundation from the multi-generation Lindy Farm to working with highly-regarded trainers and Thoroughbred racing personnel throughout the world, Philip Antonacci learned that lesson with his horses at Saratoga Race Course for the first time last year.
Antonacci had just four horses at Saratoga that included Fauci coming up a neck short against Arrest Me Red in the Mahony Stakes and English-bred Charmed finishing third in his U.S. debut under allowance conditions. “Knowing how tough the meet was, we needed to send the right horses up here,” the 27-year-old Antonacci said. “I think sending four horses up here who could run and showed good results – and nearly winning a stakes race – solidified that you need the stock up here. You have to know what fits here. Everybody is trying to win here. So, you really need to know your horses.”
PART OF A HARNESS RACING FAMILY Antonacci’s knowledge and background of horses started with his grandfather, Guy “Sonny” Antonacci, who was the pioneer of Lindy Farms and an avid supporter of harness racing. Sonny Antonacci and several cousins, including Frank Antonacci, frequently attended Roosevelt Raceway before starting a business venture by purchasing Galahad Hanover, who was renamed to Lindy’s Pride and won the 1969 Triple Crown of Trotting that included the Hambletonian.
