97-Year-Old Trainer Bozzo Wins Again at Gulfstream
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Photo: Coglianese Photo/Lauren King
Jerry Bozzo in 2017 at Gulfstream Park
When Gusty Wind drew off to win the fifth race at Gulfstream Park July 21 by 3 3/4 lengths, Jerry Bozzo broke his own record as the oldest trainer to win a Thoroughbred race.
"It's very gratifying. I wish I could have been there in the winner's circle," said the 97-year-old Bozzo, who watched the victory on his home computer. "That would have pumped me up even more."
A graduate of Carnegie Tech (now Carnegie Mellon University) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bozzo celebrated his 97th birthday Oct. 25.
The retired aeronautical engineer, industrialist, and World War II veteran sold his Pennsylvania bottle manufacturing company in 1969. He has been breeding and training Thoroughbreds in South Florida since the 1970s.
Bozzo became the oldest trainer to win a race June 3, 2017, when he sent out Cotton Tooyah for a 4 1/4-length victory at Gulfstream. He surpassed the record of the late Noble Threewitt, who visited the winner's circle for the last time at age 95. Threewitt, who was born in 1911, was credited with being the oldest trainer to win a race when Threeatonce captured a maiden claiming event at Santa Anita Park in April 2006.
Bozzo had already become the oldest trainer to saddle a stakes winner when homebred Flutterby won the Sea Lily Handicap at Gulfstream in May 2015.
On Saturday, Gusty Wind rated far off the early pace under jockey Luca Panici in the one-mile dirt test, then made a sweeping run on the turn and drew clear to break his maiden in his sixth start. Bozzo, who still actively trains a small stable at Gulfstream Park West, is also the breeder and owner of the 3-year-old son of Indy Wind.
"Good for him. He is a man with an amazing history—a World War II veteran," Panici said. "We had some nice wins with (Flutterby) a few years ago. I always enjoy riding from him."