Long-time NY fixture Peter Ferriola passes away

[Kasept]

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Peter Ferriola, who topped The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) trainer standings in 1987, 1991, and 1992, died Friday morning in Spring Hill, Fla. from complications of a stroke and chronic diabetes. He was 69.

In a career that spanned 1978-2001, Ferriola garnered nine meet titles at Aqueduct Racetrack and two at Belmont Park. He retired with a record of 1,129 wins, 999 seconds, and 900 thirds from 6,085 starts and $26,292,286 in purse earnings.

Among Ferriola’s protégées who won graded stakes in New York were Argyle Lake, Groovy Feeling, Nome, Shots Are Ringing, and Tarantara, who all won graded stakes in New York. Ferriola’s biggest victory came in 1979, his second year of training, when Koluctoo Bay captured the Grade 1 Young America at the Meadowlands.

Ferriola, originally from Philadelphia, began working in racing in 1969, quitting his jobs as a truck driver and a barber to work for trainer John P. Campo, Sr. in New Jersey. He later went to California to work for Bobby Frankel, living off food stamps with his family until Campo asked him to return to New York as his foreman. Ferriola went out on his own in 1978.

“He was a good horseman,” said trainer Bruce Levine, who worked for Campo when Ferriola was serving as his foreman. “He was the first one who was running with turndowns. He was ahead of his time. Then everybody started using them. His horses always looked well and ran well.”

Ferriola is survived by his wife, Ingrid, daughter, Veronica, son, Peter, Jr., and granddaughters Bella and Holly. His son-in-law, Tony Micallef, is the agent for apprentice jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr., who entered Friday’s card third in the Aqueduct inner-track standings with seven wins.

“He took care of so many people and took the utmost care of his horses,” said Veronica Micallef. “All he did were the best things for his horses. He was the most gracious, loving man. If you needed a meal or a dollar, he’d give it to you.”

“He loved the horse racing game,” added Tony Micallef. “He was a diabetic and was losing his eyesight, but he would watch TVG and follow Irad.”

Ferriola will be cremated in Florida. Memorial service plans

[Cannon Shell]

I worked a for Pete for about 6 months during his heyday. He was a little crazy but i liked him

[flipsal]

Think he had a brother Frank who trained also,dominated the winter meet at AQ but was one of those trainers that couldn't get it done at the Spa without the big $ owners!