Contessa posts 157th win to break NYRA record

On Saturday, trainer Gary Contessa registered his record-setting 157th win of

the year at NYRA tracks, courtesy of SILVER PROSPECTOR's (Silver Deputy)

front-running score in the 1ST race at Aqueduct. The former mark of 156

victories was set by Frank Martin in 1974.

"Other than the birth of my children and marrying my wife, this is the best

day of my life," Contessa, 50, said from his home in Saratoga Springs, New York,

where he watched the race with his family. "This is certainly the greatest thing

that has ever happened to me in this business."

Ironically, Contessa worked for Martin for five years before going out on his

own in 1985, and he credits the Hall of Famer with teaching him much of what he

knows about training.

"Frank made me my future," Contessa said. "I would have been happy just tying

his record. I saw Frank yesterday and we talked about the record, and he was

very happy for me."

Contessa's record is related, in at least some part, to the sheer size of his

stable. His 157th winner of the year was his 1,122nd starter. Such a large

operation requires sure-handed help.

"I really have to thank my assistants Marcelo Arenas, Arty Groeschel and

Scott Acker, all my exercise riders, grooms and foremen," Contessa said. "This

really was a team effort."

Of Contessa's 157 winners, 108 of them have been owned by Steve Sigler's

Winning Move Stable, which is having a remarkable season of its own.

"I couldn't have done this without Winning Move," Contessa added. "They took

me to this plateau. I especially have to thank them."

Contessa said he was starting to feel some pressure Friday as he had gone

0-for-18 since tying Martin's record on Wednesday. He was at Aqueduct early

Friday but left for Saratoga during the middle of the card.

"I was feeling a little snake-bit," Contessa said. "The pressure was really

starting to bother me. I wanted to be at home with my family. We were all

sitting on the couch cheering when Silver Prospector won."

Under a well-judged ride by Ramon Dominguez, Silver Prospector dictated the

pace through splits of :24, :48 3/5 and 1:13 2/5, and in the stretch, he had

enough in reserve to repel a challenge from Hurrah (Pulpit). Contessa's landmark

winner kicked two lengths clear at the wire, completing 1 1/16 miles on the

muddy, sealed track in 1:45 4/5.

Contessa, who is now married with five children, came close to the record in

2006 with 151 victories from 885 starters. The Merrick, New York, native may add

to his record with numerous starters through Sunday, the last day of racing for

the year in New York.

Contessa will easily repeat as NYRA's leading trainer for 2007, and owner

Winning Move Stable will be the leading owner for the second consecutive year.