GARY CONTESSA

2016 RECORD

500 - 53, 48, 66 

$2,622,804

2016 NYRA RECORD

424 - 42, 40, 53 

$2,318,093

NEW YORK TRAINING TITLES

* 2009 NYRA, 141 wins

* 2009 Belmont spring, 25

* 2008-09 Aqueduct inner track, 55

* 2008 NYRA, 150

* 2008 Aqueduct fall, 17

* 2008 Belmont fall, 16

* 2008 Aqueduct spring, 15

* 2007-08 Aqueduct inner track, 82

* 2007 NYRA, 159

* 2007 Belmont fall, 23

* 2007 Belmont spring, 39

* 2006-07 Aqueduct inner track, 72

* 2006 NYRA, 151

* 2006 Aqueduct fall, 13

* 2006 Aqueduct spring, 17

* 2005-06 Aqueduct inner track, 61

* 2004 Aqueduct spring, 19

* 2002-03 Aqueduct inner track, 29

* 2001-02 Aqueduct inner track, 38

* 1999-2000 Aqueduct inner track, 23 (tie)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

* NYRA’s leading trainer from 2006-2009

* In 2007 set a then NYRA record with 159 victories, breaking mentor Frank Martin’s record of 156

* Won 16 training titles at individual NYRA meets

* President of the Exceller Fund

* Voted into the Calhoun High School Hall of Fame in 2012

* Won his 2000th race on Feb. 7, 2013 with Al’s Rosie

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

* Worked with standardbreds at Roosevelt Raceway until 1972, then worked for Dave Sazer, James Picou and Frank Martin (1980-85)

INTRODUCTION TO RACING

* Climbed over the fence at Roosevelt Raceway

FIRST WINNER

* Legendary Wealth, June 25, 1985, Monmouth Park, owned by John Campo

NEW YORK AND GRADE 1 STAKES

Accountforthegold: Kings Point (2007); Stuyvesant (2006)

Big Tease: Mount Vernon (2004)

Brave One: Ashley T. Cole (2001)

Castaneda: Fred “Cappy” Capossela (2010) Codys Key: Roseben H. (1993)

Dill or No Dill: Ruthless (2008)

Do It With Style: Ashland (1991)

Eightyfiveinafifty: Bay Shore (2010)

Ex Ex Ex: NYSS Cab Calloway (2015)

Fort Drum: NYSS Times Square (2008)

Go Mikey Go: Albany (1998)

Golden Damsel: Bouwerie (2003)

Grey Comet: NYSS Times Square (2003); Count Fleet (2003); Damon Runyon (2002); NYSS Great White Way (2002)

Like a Rose: NYSS Park Avenue (2008)

Long Distance: NYSS Fifth Avenue (1998); East View (1998)

Magnolia Jackson: Correction (2006-07); Broadway (2006); Bed o’ Roses (2006); Garland of Roses (2006)

Malibu Moonshine: Stymie (2008)

Mission Approved: Saranac (2007)

My Kitty: East View (2006)

Paint Me Red: Busanda (2008)

Preachintothedevil: Mike Lee (2011)

Ready for Fortune: Dearly Precious (2008)

Rite Moment: Bed o’ Roses (2008); Distaff (2008)

Runaway Lute: Rockville Centre (2016)

Runaway Rosie: Rare Treat (2008)

Shayjolie: Cat Cay (2015)

She Rides Tonite: Bouwerie (1994); Mohawk (1993)

Stunt Man: Albany (2007); NYSS Thunder Rumble (2007)

Successful Affair: Gallant Fox (2006)

Successfully Sweet: East View (2004)

True Affair: Busher (1993); Tempted (1992)

Turco Bravo: Birdstone (2016); Flat Out (2016); Stymie (2015-16)

Undaunted Mettle: Damon Runyon (1997)

Waytotheleft: Broadway (2007)

Wishful Tomcat: Discovery (2008)

Wolf Alert: Miss Grillo (1999)

Woodlander: Fort Marcy (2007)