On the Monday afternoon, August 6th program at
Monticello Raceway, the son of Conway Hall- Electra Hanover has been
installed as the 9-5 early line favorite in his $83,922 division—race 10-- of
the 167,844 NYSS for sophomore trotting colts and geldings. In the other
$83,922 split—race six—Gaelic and Garlic gets the odds-maker’s early nod.
Although there are some nice colts is the Sire Stakes,
unquestionably Coraggioso is the cream of the crop. As a freshman the colt had
four wins, two seconds and a third in nine starts and amassed purses of
$93,424. This year in eight outings he has five wins, two seconds and one third
and has already bankrolled $208,661.
Coraggioso is co-owned by Joe Spadaro and longtime friend,
Tom Durkin. If that latter name rings a bell….yes… it is the same Tom Durkin,
who is the outstanding race announcer.
“When I retired from NYS Thoroughbred Breeding and
Development Fund, where I was Deputy Executive Director, I purchased a
Standarbred horse,” Spadaro said. “As a former trainer, owner and
breeder, I wanted to have something to do. Tom and I have been longtime
friends and he saw I was having fun in the game and he wanted to
participate. And as former race announcer at the Meadowlands Tom is very
familiar with harness horses.”
Asked how they came across Coraggioso Spadaro explained.
“Tom and I bred him from our one mare breeding operation
named Electra Hanover who’s by Lindy Lane. We purchased her
privately after seeing her listed on website - Ongait.com - in January of
2008.She was part of package deal along with being in foal to S.J.'s
Caviar and a yearling by S.J.'s Caviar by her side - Total cost was $12,000.
“Tom names all the foals in alphabetical order with
Italian names because he's an Italian wannabe,” Spardaro joked. “Coraggioso in
English is courage. Our 2012 yearling is called Determinato (Determined), then
we have 2012 foal named Eletrizzantte (Electrifying) - Electra Hanover is
currently in foal to Donato Hanover.
“Coraggioso’s nickname is Ali because
he "floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee", Spadaro
added with a smile. “He’s a nice horse to be around; very professional
and loves to compete.”
Coraggioso is trained and driven by Phil Fluet and
comes into the NYSS Monticello contest off a 1:55.3 victory
in the Tompkins-Geers at Tioga Downs. His best win time thus far is
1:54.3 a mark taken while winning the Historic Stakes at Tioga Downs.
On June 8 at Vernon Downs, Coraggioso finished a close
second in 1:53.1 to Archangel, who will be racing in the Hambletonian on
Saturday.
Asked why they didn’t enter Caraggioso in the Hambo Spadaro
paused for a moment and then answered; “Even though Coraggioso
took a new lifetime mark in Historic Stakes at Tioga Downs, Phil
(Fluet) felt he didn't have the same kick finishing mile therefore they scoped
him and scoping revealed he had some congestion in his lungs along with some
blood; therefore it was decided to place Coraggioso on lasix. Our choice
was based on his long term career Tom and I have mapped out and didn't
want to jeopardize his career by removing lasix to race in Hambo elims and
final. He definitely has the caliber to fit with those horses.
Coraggioso will start from post six in what appears to be
the toughest of the two divisions. The colt’s nemesis Brookroad Knight, who
defeated Coraggioso at Vernon in 1:53.4 on July 11, will start inside him
from post five with Jimmy Morrill, Jr. at the controls.
Morrill will also drive favored Gaelic and Garlic In the
other NYSS division. That son of Credit Winner-La Tapatia is owned locally by
Bernard White and Kristie Leigh Farm.
Along with the two $83,922 NYSS sophomore colt trots there
will be four $12,700 divisions of the Excelsior Series or 3 year old colt and
gelding trotters in races, 1, 4, 5, and 8.
Post time for the 14-race card will be at 12:50pm.
