Carlo Vaccarezza

Cataloged as hip 1221 as part of the supplemental catalog for the OBS April Sale, a filly by Girvin--Soma (Curlin) was hammered down to Robert and Lawana Low for $1.6 million, in so doing becoming the last of seven horses to fetch $1 million or more over the course of the four-day auction in Central Florida. Bred in Kentucky by Jim and Donna Daniell, the Mar. 7 foal is out of an unplaced half-sister to GSW Celestial City (Uncle Mo) and was consigned to the sale by Top Line Sales,...

Earlier this week, Carlo Vaccarezza reported to the BloodHorse that his trainer son, Nick, had been denied stalls at Gulfstream Park for horses owned by his father. Additionally, Carlo Vaccarreza claimed that despite taking steps to remove his name from the stable's limited liability ownership company--effectively shifting ownership of the horses to his son, Michael--track officials told Nick Vaccarezza that they would deny his entries. Carlo Vaccarezza described the action as an act of retaliation for his involvement in the contentious fight to stop the track's owners from decoupling its...

Dear Editor: A July 31 letter printed by Thoroughbred Daily News criticized Florida's racing and breeding programs. This letter, seemingly targeted at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association, compels a direct response, particularly given the source and timing. Considering the Source The author of this letter has not appeared as a breeder-of-record on a registered Florida-bred foal that we know of since 2019, holds no current Florida racing license that we are aware of, appears to have no recent Florida starts as an owner or trainer, and is not...

Nick Vaccarezza, 25, won his first race from 12 starts as a licensed trainer June 30 at Presque Isle Downs. Although every conditioner's first victory is a special accomplishment, Vaccarezza's was unique because it occurred in a stakes race. Off at even-money odds, Keeneland-based shipper Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) prompted the pace and drew off by 2 1/2 lengths to capture the $100,000 Tom Ridge Stakes over six furlongs. The win was also sweet because Golden Afternoon is owned by a partnership of friends (Eddie and Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe, and...

Just as two of our greatest race days unfolded at Churchill Downs, our sport received great news as the Florida Senate held firm and did not take up the decoupling bill that had passed the House a few days earlier. For the first time I can remember, the effort to defeat decoupling brought so many people in the industry together. I personally wanted to congratulate the Thoroughbred Racing Initiative and their team, organized by members including David O'Farrell, Damon Thayer, Barry Eisaman, Mark Casse, Tom Ventura and many others. They...

I have been personally committed to fighting the decoupling legislation that is under consideration in Florida and wanted to update you on this effort. My goal and hope have been to ensure that our voices--as horse owners, horse breeders, horse trainers and horse lovers--are truly heard throughout Tallahassee this legislative session. The main mission is to unite and strengthen all the different groups--new and old--across the Thoroughbred industry supporting Florida racing and breeding.  While we seek to defeat the decoupling bills, we must protect the industry and its significant impact...

When it was announced by The Stronach Group (TSG) earlier this month that it had the blessing of the group representing horsemen in South Florida to push for the decoupling of the track's racing and casino licenses it looked like TSG had scored an important victory. To have the horsemen on its side would no doubt make it easier to convince legislators to make the necessary changes that would allow the track to focus its attentions on building a new, full-service casino on the track grounds and eventually shut down...

A Grade III stakes race that is on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' isn't exactly the easiest place for a trainer to start his career, but that's what Nick Vaccarezza, 25, will be doing when he sends out Golden Afternoon (Goldencents) in Saturday's Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds. The 25-year-old trainer is in this position because his father, Carlo, has decided to step away from training to focus his attention on trying to save racing in South Florida. The situation could be dire because of the tenuous future of...

Funeral services for trainer Chuck Simon will be held Monday, Sept. 16 at the Catricala Funeral home, 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, NY. Viewing hours are from noon to 2 p.m. ET, with a service to follow from 2 to 2:30 p.m. ET. A round-trip private plane from Lexington has been arranged. Individuals wishing further information on that flight should contact Carlo Vaccarezza at 561-714-6019. Simon, who trained for 20 years before retiring in 2019, died Sunday in Saratoga Springs, New York after a bout with cancer. He was 57...

Chuck Simon, who retired from training in 2019 after a 20-year run in which he won 359 races, passed away Sunday at Saratoga Hospital after a bout with cancer. He was 57-years-old. Before going out on his own, Simon worked for Wayne Lukas, Pete Ferriola, Nick Zito and Tom Skiffington. His mentors included Allen Jerkens. He spent six years with Jerkens working as one of his assistants. He went out on his own in 1999 and five years later gave a job to a young newcomer to the track, Cherie...

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Niigata Racecourse, two debuting both Saturday and Sunday: Saturday, July 27, 2024 2nd-NII, ¥13,720,000 ($89k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400mT JASPER DIVINE (c, 2, Frosted--Rocket Reload, by Reload), whose dam was stakes-placed on the turf at two in the five-furlong Woodbine Cares...

When Carlo Vaccarezza suddenly lost his assistant trainer in June, he knew he not only needed to fill the position quickly, but with a top person; someone experienced enough to take the reins while Vaccarrezza deals with the myriad other businesses with which he is involved. As luck would have it, Michael Dilger was thinking about making a move back to the States after some time spent at home in Ireland, and the pair quickly agreed to work together. Now, Dilger is at Ellis Park where he supervises the training...