
	NYRA

Gary C. Contessa

Active Trainer

2 fans

0 favorites

[Edit]

Born:

October, 13, 1957 - Merrick, NY USA

Hometown:

Petersburg, NY USA

Profile

Biography

Stakes

News & Notes

Photos

What the Nation is saying about Trainer Gary C. Contessa...

NYRA apprentice Camacho one to watch

With Venezuelan jockeys Ramon Dominguez and Junior Alvarado holding the first- and third-place positions in the Aqueduct Racetrack inner-track jockey standings, 20-year-old apprentice Samuel Camacho will attempt to emulate his fellow countrymen and find success competing against New York’s deep ridi...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 93 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Gotham Stakes Next for Speightscity

Withers runner-up Speightscity is likely to make his next appearance in the Gotham on March 3, according to Marcelo Arenas, assistant to trainer Gary Contessa. The son of Speightstown proved the best of the rest in Saturday’s race, finishing 1 ¾ lengths ahead of Tiger Walk.Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 112 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Inherit The Gold Headlines NY Stallion Series

Graded stakes winner Inherit the Gold will headline Sunday's New York Stallion Series (NYSS) when he takes on nine foes in the seven-furlong, $75,000 Thunder Rumble Division. One of four NYSS races to be contested at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday, the Thunder Rumble will be run as race 7 with an appr...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 199 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Finally Contessa Gets It Right

This race is the play of the day. Preachintothedevil finally cuts back to a dirt sprint. His biggest career win was in a dirt sprint. His highest career beyer fig was in a dirt sprint. His dam was the famous Grade I winning dirt sprinter Acey Deucey. So what does…Read More

Source: gregcalabrese.blogspot.com · Posted 219 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Alaura Michele Looks Solid in Miss Grillo

In Sunday's Grade 3 Miss Grillo at Belmont Park, Alaura Michele will attempt to move forward off a 2 ¼-length victory in Saratoga's P. G. Johnson to collect her first graded stakes win. After starting her career for trainer Gregory Fox at Churchill Downs and running sixth in a 4 ½-furlong dirt maid...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 242 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Preachintothedevil Aims at Albany

Mike Lee winner Preachintothedevil, aiming for a start in the 1 1/8-mile Albany on August 24, turned in a 1:16.54 six-furlong breeze at Saratoga on Thursday. “It was just a little maintenance stuff,” said Gary Contessa, who trains the colt for Crossed Sabres Farm. “He went nicely galloped out...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 291 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Eightyfiveinafifty Fires Saratoga Bullet

Eightyfiveinafifty, speedy winner of the Grade 3 Bay Shore at Aqueduct in 2010, is still weeks away from a return to racing even after turning in a bullet work over the main track at Saratoga Wednesday morning, covering five furlongs in 59.76, handily. Owned by Harold Lerner, et al, Eigh...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 303 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Preachintothedevil Back in Winners' Circle

Preachintothedevil returned to New York-bred company and the winner's circle Sunday afternoon at Belmont Park, sweeping to an easy victory in the $100,000 Mike Lee and snapping a four-race losing streak. Winless since taking the restricted Champagneforashley at Aqueduct Racetrack on New Year's Day, ...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 336 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Ava K, Bug Juice Top NY Bred Stakes Races

Ava K., recent winner of the Wandering Cloud overnight stakes, and Bug Juice, victorious in last year's New York Breeders' Futurity, head the fields for Sunday's New York-bred stakes offerings at Belmont Park, the $100,000 Bouwerie for 3-year-old fillies and the $100,000 Mike Lee for 3-year-olds. Th...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 339 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Preachintothedevil gets some class relief

Trainer Gary Contessa expects to saddle Preachintothedevil in the Mike Lee, which will mark the colt's first start in New York-bred company since he won the Champagneforashley overnight stakes at Aqueduct on New Year's Day. Following the Champagneforashley the son of Pulpit was turned loose in open ...Read More

Posted 346 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Best of the Meet (Part I)

One week of racing remains over Aqueduct’s inner track, a sure sign that spring is, in fact, upon us. It has been a fun winter at the Big A, one that I’ve had the privilege of chronicling in this space twice weekly. Let’s take a look back at some of the highlights and lowlights of the meet by handin...Read More

Posted 433 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 4 Comments
zatt · Ripping Dutrow ... I approve. Unfortunately, as solid as Inherit the Gold has been this meet, he is no longer a friend of mine after whipping one of my fav's, Yawanna Twist. Question ... where is It's Tricky in this piece? · 434 days ago ·

like

0

0
BigAConfidential · And...that's why they pay you the big bucks ;-) A total oversight on my part. She absolutely deserves mention. That said, if I had to rank them, I would put her behind the others I mentioned. But she certainly merits inclusion. I am a fan. · 434 days ago ·

like

0

0
bornstar · No thoughts on Rudy Rodriguez? · 434 days ago ·

like

0

0
BigAConfidential · Well, unlike Dutrow, Rudy has not been caught doing anything wrong yet. Moreover, his winning percentage no longer makes him a statistical outlier, like he was during his first few months as a trainer. The cloud of suspicion clearly remains. But, to date, he's yet to be cited for any wrongdoing. So I'll take a wait-and-see approach regarding Rudy. · 434 days ago ·

like

0

0

The Gotham: First Look

Two inches of snow this past Monday notwithstanding, there are several signs around Aqueduct that spring, at long last, is on the horizon. Starting Wednesday, post times will return to the traditional 1 p.m. slot. Opening day at Belmont is two months away. And eight days from now, an expected field ...Read More

Posted 457 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 2 Comments
TiznowReynolds · I'm very interested to see Stay Thirsty back again...I liked him a lot last year. I think he could very well end up being a good horse. · 457 days ago ·

like

0

0
zatt · You can add Crossbow to this list as he was scratched from the Hutcheson today, Joe. Do you know the latest on The Fed Eased? · 457 days ago ·

like

0

0

It's Tricky Strong Favorite in Busher

It’s Tricky looks to keep an undefeated streak intact as she takes on a select field of 3-year-old fillies in Sunday’s 32nd running of the $65,000 Busher at Aqueduct Racetrack. Originally scheduled for Saturday at a distance of 1 1/16 miles, the Busher was moved to Sunday and will be run at ...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 465 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Reasons to Believe

Nearly two months have passed since the demise of New York City OTB, and the outlook remains somewhat promising for the New York Racing Association. Most encouraging amidst the January numbers are the overall attendance figures. Last year, Aqueduct’s average daily attendance was 3,115. This January,...Read More

Posted 478 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 2 Comments
arazi · Where is 85 in a 50 these days? · 478 days ago ·

like

0

0
BigAConfidential · Darn it, Arazi. I saw Contessa in the paddock before the race and totally would've got a detailed update for you had I seen your question before the race. As is, all I know is that he suffered another injury of some sort. I don't believe he's been retired as of yet, but I know there are no plans to campaign him anytime soon. I'll look into it more and let you know. · 478 days ago ·

like

0

0

Rescind the Trade Whirlaway Choice

With an eye to the future, seven 3-year-olds will find out if maturity and distance are on their side when they line up for Saturday’s $100,000 Whirlaway at Aqueduct Racetrack. At 1 1/16th miles, the Whirlaway – named for the popular colt who swept the 1941 Triple Crown – is just the second ...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 481 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Inner Track Profile: Junior Alvarado

When Junior Alvarado came to the United States from Venezuela three years ago, his goal was to eventually ride in New York. And after successful tours in Florida and Chicago – where he won Arlington Park’s 2009 riding title with 110 wins and finished second in 2010 – he has finally realized his goal...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 514 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Getting in that inner track state of mind

Though the calendar officially says that winter begins on December 21 with the “shortest day of the year” it occurs 20 days before then with regards to racing in New York. Wednesday is the first day of racing on Aqueduct’s inner track, the winterized oval that has been in use since 1976. The i...Read More

Source: nicktammaro.wordpress.com · Posted 545 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 1 Comments
humphrey · This track has been Black and White the past 6 years: either the front is golden race to race, or they run like polycrap.. · 545 days ago ·

like

0

0

Indian War Dance goes out a winner

As president of the Exceller Fund, which works to transition thoroughbreds to second careers off the track, Gary Contessa is used to helping find homes for former racehorses. But when owner Mark Valentine decided to retire 9-year-old Indian War Dance, the trainer didn’t hesitate. “He had told...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 549 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Eightyfiveinafifty Back on Worktab

Eightyfiveinafifty, impressive winner of the Grade 3 Bay Shore on Wood Memorial Day, April 3, at Aqueduct, returned to the worktab Saturday morning for the first time since his fifth-place finish in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes Day, June 5. The 3-year-old Forest Camp colt cont...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 580 days ago ·

· Comment

Show All 0 Comments

Violon Sacre Favored in Knickerbocker

A wide-ranging field of ten turf specialists, including a pair of Grade 1 winners who have made 103 starts between them, a French import looking for his first American graded stakes victory, and last year’s defending champion, will gather at Belmont Park Sunday afternoon for the 51st running of the...Read More

Source: horseracingnation.com · Posted 590 days ago ·

· Comment