Aquilino passes at age 76

Trainer Joe Aquilino, a mainstay of the New York Racing

Association (NYRA) circuit for more than three decades, died Wednesday following a lengthy battle with congestive heart failure. He was 76.

Aquilino's biggest win came in 1999 when Badge won the

Gotham at Aqueduct. Two starts later, Badge was third in the

Preakness at 58-1 after threading through traffic in the stretch.

Aquilino was a native of New York City who worked

approximately 20 years as a firefighter, serving in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and

later in Flushing, Queens.

After falling down a flight of stairs and suffering

ligament and cartilage damage to a knee during a call, Aquilino decided to

change careers, pulling double duty as a firefighter and as a hotwalker for

trainer Frank LaBoccetta before taking out his trainer's license in 1977.

"I was always a fan of racing," Aquilino told the Daily

Racing Form in 1995. "I had started to hang around, and I got a job as a hotwalker with Frank LaBoccetta. I would work as a swingman, filling in for

grooms, and I would go in early in the morning, then go to the firehouse and

work from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for two straight days and have three days off. When I

wasn't at the firehouse, I was at the track. I worked for Frank for six years,

then I got my trainer's license."

Aquilino won his first race in 1977 at Atlantic City Race

Course with Amberdias. In 1982, Aquilino won his first stakes, the Charles

Hatton at Belmont Park, with One Never Nose, a $12,500 claim.

In addition to

Badge and One Never Nose, stakes winners trained by Aquilino include Dr. J,

Haunting, Liveitupnow, No Parole, Pirate Performer, Sabellina and Stormy Krissy.

Aquilino, who resided in Bayside, New York, is survived by his

wife, Victoria, and adult children Joanne, Theresa, Laura and Nicholas, who is a

creative services supervisor for NYRA. Aquilino's final starter was Charming

Eyes, who finished fourth in an optional claiming race on Wednesday at Aqueduct.

Arrangements are pending.