Minieri remembered at MR

He set training records at Monticello Raceway that may never be equaled, and on Thursday, Aug. 17, the fourth anniversary of his death, Joe Minieri will be remembered with a race named in his honor. The "Joe Minieri Memorial," will be the eighth race on the 13-race card.

Four years ago, Minieri succumbed to complications from a stroke, at age 65, and at the time was en route to his 12th local training title. During his illustrious career Minieri established records that others will be hard-pressed to approach. His 1,915 career training victories at the Mighty M are the greatest total by any trainer in the track’s 49-year history.

He set--and then broke--the record for most wins by a trainer in a single year five times, and his 218 wins in 1999 is the current single-year standard.

Known locally as the "King of the Claimers," Minieri specialized in patching former class horses--and racing them very successfully in claiming races.

His training prowess also earned him a national ranking, many times, and the highest came in 1999, when his 218 victories ranked him fourth in North America. (Monticello)

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