With an extensive harness racing and horse racing background, Philip Antonacci looks to build upon last season’s Saratoga debut based on his experiences.
The 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.
Three years later, Sonny Antonacci brought Lindy Farms to Connecticut as his racing stable won two more Hambletonian with Probe (1989) and Harmonious (1990). Also, Frank Antonacci became the director of the Hambletonian Society and the United States Trotting Association. Both were inducted into the 2000 Harness Hall of Fame.
Today, Lindy Farms continues to thrive as Frank M. Antonacci oversees the standardbred operations with the focus on horses that compete at the Meadowlands, Plainridge Park, and the Red Mile. Meanwhile, Philip Antonacci handles the Thoroughbreds at the 1,000-acre farm that is equipped with a track, pool, treadmill, and numerous paddocks.
“It’s a big breeding operation with our standardbreds. Sometimes, you will see standardbreds and Thoroughbreds on the track at the same time,” Philip Antonacci said. “It’s only about two hours from here [Saratoga Springs]. So, I keep a few horses to train at the farm. For me, it’s an easy drive to go back and look over the horses.”
From Standardbreds to Thoroughbreds
Despite the extensive family background in harness racing, Antonacci had an appeal for Thoroughbreds after his father, Frank Antonacci, frequently brought him to Saratoga as a child. That appeal eventually led him to an education on the backstretch and international experience.
“It had always been a fun place to go,” he said about Saratoga. “If you like horses, then you will like any kind of discipline. I like standardbred racing. We have that side of the industry. We wanted to expand a little bit and challenge ourselves. [Thoroughbred racing] is such a global game, too. If you like action and you’re young, then it’s a great thing to get into.”
Nine years ago, Antonacci spent a couple of summers at Saratoga working for Wesley Ward. During that time, he got a chance to work with Ward who trained No Nay Never to win the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.
Ward suggested that Antonacci spend a summer in Australia for notable trainer Gai Waterhouse, who encouraged him to participate in Godolphin’s Flying Start – a two-year leadership and management program for those with the talent and interest in the Thoroughbred industry.
Spending six months each in Ireland, England, Australia, and Dubai, Antonacci needed a placement in America, which was Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher from April to June 2018.
Along with learning how to manage a highly successful stable, Antonacci got a chance to be around Graded 1 horses that include Belmont Stakes winner Tapwrit and Florida Derby winner Audible. He also got a chance with work with Pletcher during the week of the 2018 Belmont with Vino Rosso and Noble Indy.
“That was great,” Antonacci said about working for Pletcher. “I learned about how to run a barn, organization, details. It’s an amazing operation. He sets the standard on how barns should be run and how they should look. He’s always a gentleman and professional. He is one of those guys that whatever he did, he would be good at it.”
Arriving Early to Enjoy and Prepare for the Saratoga Meet
Coincidently, Antonacci’s barn is not that far Pletcher since coming to the Oklahoma Training Track with 24 horses at the end of April. Primarily competing at Belmont Park and Monmouth Park this spring, Antonacci scored his first winner this year with claimer Red Mule.
Along with Fauci and Charming, Antonacci also has the following: Advanced Strategy, who is looking to improve from his second race off the 13-month layoff; Irwin, another England-bred with late-closing in-the-money finishes at Belmont since arriving from Ireland; also, eight unraced two-year-olds.
“We have the same horses as last year,” he said. “My goal is to work for the owners and get the best out of their horses. I don’t worry too much about numbers. I’m trying to maximize the potential out of every horse.”
Despite the occasional 135-mile trip from Lindy Farms to Saratoga Springs, Antonacci knows that Saratoga is the best place for his horses, his staff, and even himself.
“It’s a great environment for the horses. It’s a little bit more tranquil. It’s a lot quieter than Belmont,” he said. “Saratoga is one of those places where you can have a real life and work at the same time. You can live outside the gate, walk around beautiful neighborhoods and get a cup of coffee.”
