AROUND THE TRACK Late Saratoga staple DiSanto remembered
By David M. Johnson SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. » Local owner, trainer and breeder Glenn DiSanto died Jan. 14 at age 62 after a long battle with cancer, but his impact on racing is far from over.
His name was recalled Friday at Saratoga Race Course when Quick on the Draw, still owned by DiSan- to’s Summit View Farm — along with Sportsmen Stable — came home to win Race 1.
“It was a very emotional race,” his brother Gary DiSanto said. “We all felt that Glenn was riding that horse.”
Summit View Farm is in Greenwich, about 30 minutes from the Spa and some of the DiSanto family joined trainer James Bond in the winner’s circle, including his 21-year-old son Brendon.
“It was awesome, he was here,” Brendon DiSanto said. “I’m speechless. We just want to thank (trainer) Jim Bond.”
Even more fittingly, Saturday would have been Glenn DiSanto’s 63rd birthday. About 200 members of his family set up camp in the backyard to celebrate his memory and Race 4 on Whitney Day was named The Glenn DiSanto Memorial. They could be seen around the Race Course with yellow and black pins that said, “GD Glenn DiSanto 1954-2017.”
Some of his immediate family — wife Melanie, son Brendon, sister Diane and brothers Gary and Bruce DiSanto — watched the fourth race from the winner’s circle and took a photo with 22-1 longshot winner Trumpi.
“Glenn always shared the excitement of Saratoga with the whole family,” Diane Baran said. “He used to get us in the box or the backstretch or the winner’s circle with him. Everybody felt important and special.”
“I think today was the first day I waited in line,” Bruce DiSanto said.
Trumpi, a 2-year-old Majestic Warrior colt, broke his maiden at first asking for trainer Bill Mott. He won in front-running fashion, completing 1 1/16-miles on a firm Mellon turf course in 1:42.13 and paid $47.40 to win.
“I didn’t know him well but he was a professional,” Mott said of DiSanto. “He’s one of the guys who will be sorely missed.”