Live Chat With Trainer Gary Contessa - 2/5/2010(02/05/2010) 
7:55
Moderator: 
Please welcome via conference call Gary Contessa, a four-time leading New York trainer.

Contessa had 112 wins in 2009 at Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course, earning him a NYRA training title for the fourth consecutive year. He won 150, 159, and 151 races in 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.

His stable is home to Eightyfiveinafifty, a 3-year-old son of Forest Camp who broke his maiden January 9 at Aqueduct with a 105 Beyer Speed Figure. The colt is expected to make his next start in the Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct on February 6.
Friday February 5, 2010 7:55 Moderator
7:56
[Comment From Joe Joe : ] 
What do you hear from NYRA about running its card tomorrow?
Friday February 5, 2010 7:56 Joe
7:58
Gary Contessa: 
I've been on it all day because it probably affects me more than anybody tomorrow. But basically, 4-6 inches and I think they're going to have to cancel because they can't clear that much off. I think three inches or less, we'll be a go, but more than that and we'll have to cancel. I'm told they'll try to make that decision at 6 tomorrow morning.
Friday February 5, 2010 7:58 Gary Contessa
7:58
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
eightyfiveinafifty will he do well in the route ?
Friday February 5, 2010 7:58 Guest
8:00
Gary Contessa: 
Im kinda taking him from the frying pan and throwing him into the fire here. He's only had one race in the last 6 months and it was at 6 furlongs. I can honestly say he's not as dead ready as I'd like to have him, but the schedule says race. I believe I'll find out tomorrow whether he's going to get two turns, but he acts like he will. We'll all find out at the same time.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:00 Gary Contessa
8:00
[Comment From eddy eddy : ] 
what is your impression of the new young female jockeys in the new york area?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:00 eddy
8:02
Gary Contessa: 
I think Rosie Napravnik is as good a rider as any journeyman male in the country. She's got youth and incredible talent. In the last three months I have seen tremendous improvement in Jackie Davis. She's run some really good races in the last 30 days and she's learning really fast. I think Rosie is a top rider and I'd put her on anything in my barn if she was available.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:02 Gary Contessa
8:02
[Comment From ss ss : ] 
do you believe in this so called golden rail?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:02 ss
8:02
Gary Contessa: 
On the inner track I certainly do. I think the rail has been golden more times than not on the inner track this year.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:02 Gary Contessa
8:05
Gary Contessa: 
My personal favorite was a horse named Allemande. He was like a pet. He won the Rutgers Stakes, which was a Grade 2 at the Meadowlands many years ago. We would let him loose in the barn - it was like having a dog or a goat. He would visit the other horses and come into my office and he'd go back in the stall whenever he wanted to eat or lay down. People would come from all over to see this horse in the barn and when he went to the races he was a very successful racehorse as well.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:05 Gary Contessa
8:06
[Comment From Kelly Kelly : ] 
Who is the favorite horse you ever trained, cheap or stakes?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:06 Kelly
8:06
[Comment From Joe Joe : ] 
Gary: How often do you bet your Horses ?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:06 Joe
8:06
Gary Contessa: 
Almost never. I hate to lose twice. I bet my own money and then if I lose, I lose the race and my own money. I will occasionally, maybe two or three times per year, bet on a first time starter if I think the horse has been overlooked by the public.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:06 Gary Contessa
8:07
[Comment From Steve Steve : ] 
Hi, you claim alot of horses, what do you look for when claiming a horse?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:07 Steve
8:08
Gary Contessa: 
I look for a horse that is trying very hard. I judge a horse by the look in its eye when running. I want a hard-trying horse, and I also like to claim off of trainers who win at a very high percentage. To win at a high percentage you have to sacrifice good horses at the claim box - you have to be running them where they belong.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:08 Gary Contessa
8:08
[Comment From Steve Steve : ] 
Can you comment on calks and the ban, this used to be a big angle for me
Friday February 5, 2010 8:08 Steve
8:10
Gary Contessa: 
I'm not very happy about the ban - I believe the decision to ban calks and toes was made by people who didn't do enough studying on the topic. I never met a baseball player who didn't wear spikes, because you always want the best grip on the ground and I want to give my horses the best traction. I did not find that they caused any harm to the horses at all, and we would use them just to aid the horse during race conditions.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:10 Gary Contessa
8:11
[Comment From ccs ccs : ] 
W#hat is your take on the fiasco at Penn National with Michael Gill and his trainers?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:11 ccs
8:15
Gary Contessa: 
Their breakdowns are way too many and something had to be done. But Michael Gill is an owner and I don't believe he's a trainer. I think the trainers should have more responsibility than the owner. If one of my horses breaks down, I would think "what did I do?" I haven't had a catastrophic breakdown in many years, but I would think the finger should be pointed at me. I think we need to look harder at the trainers involved, because I've never seen an owner blamed for a catastrophic breakdown until now. I'd like to know more about what's going on there.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:15 Gary Contessa
8:16
[Comment From Rich Rich : ] 
I saw Eightyfiveinafifty had a 34.2 blowout on wednesday.Was that faster than you wanted?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:16 Rich
8:17
Gary Contessa: 
It was as slow as we could get him to go. In a perfect world, I would have liked him to go a little slower, but him going 34 and 3 is like any other horse in my barn going 36 and 3. He does it without any effort whatsoever.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:17 Gary Contessa
8:17
[Comment From john john : ] 
Now that you have so many horses with stables at the better tracks,don't you miss the old days with less stock and more intimate hands on training.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:17 john
8:18
Gary Contessa: 
Interestingly, at this time last year I had about 120 horses in training. As of this morning, I have 52 horses in training, so I think the good old days are here right now and I am more hands on that I have been in quite some time.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:18 Gary Contessa
8:19
[Comment From mikestir mikestir : ] 
hi gary big fan....i notice you put a lot of the time a 6f workout before you run some horses and some win at a nice price...whats the reason for the 6f work..thank you
Friday February 5, 2010 8:19 mikestir
8:20
Gary Contessa: 
In this day and age, you see a lot of trainers work horses halves and 5/8s, but if you watch my horses they work miles and 7/8s because I like horses to work the distances they're going to run.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:20 Gary Contessa
8:20
[Comment From chris dunn chris dunn : ] 
when do you feel your horses run best off a layoff?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:20 chris dunn
8:23
Gary Contessa: 
I think my horses - whether coming off layoffs or first time starters - always run better in the their second start because you really have to work a horse hard to get them really ready for that first start, and I don't like to do that. I like to bring them along slowly and I'm willing to let them be less than 100% for the first start to see improvement in the second. Exceptional horses are usually ready the first time though, because they're better horses.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:23 Gary Contessa
8:23
[Comment From Walter Walter : ] 
Gary do you have a plan when puting a rider up on your horses?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:23 Walter
8:25
Gary Contessa: 
I think riders all have personalities and horses most definitely have personalities. Some horses are rather timid and others are very aggressive I would put passive, patient, gentler riders on my timid horses, and more aggressive riders on my more aggressive horses. I think a jockey's personality needs to complement the horse and I try to choose my riders accordingly.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:25 Gary Contessa
8:26
[Comment From Marty Marty : ] 
Gary what would you consider was your best claim of your career?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:26 Marty
8:27
Gary Contessa: 
I'm going to say the best claim of my career is a toss up between Stunt Man and Successful Affair, both of whom went on to do great things. As well as Arromanches, who won ten in a row for me off the claim. As a trainer, I'm honored to have had those three horses in my barn.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:27 Gary Contessa
8:28
[Comment From nick nick : ] 
does blinkers help mor on the inner than other surfaces
Friday February 5, 2010 8:28 nick
8:29
Gary Contessa: 
I don't think so. I think blinkers are a tool to correct a horse who's not giving you his total concentration during the course of a race. As a trainer, you're going to get a horse like that on any surface. Blinkers bring us concentration - they help the horse be less involved in what's going on around him and focus more on what's in front of him.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:29 Gary Contessa
8:29
[Comment From Guest Guest : ] 
Who are your favorite horses in your barn right now (besides 85/50)?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:29 Guest
8:33
Gary Contessa: 
Mt. Glittermore who ran second in the Paumonok a couple of weeks ago. Hatfield, who is racing in Florida and just won the Gulfstream Park Turf Championship. And a turf horse named Ballast, who is racing down in Florida right now also. He's nine years old and I just love nine year-olds. I just have admiration for a horse who goes out there every time and gives me everything he has at that age.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:33 Gary Contessa
8:34
[Comment From chris dunn chris dunn : ] 
is there a angle the you feel gives you the best chance at the horse performing the best.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:34 chris dunn
8:35
Gary Contessa: 
My favorite angle on the inner track is lone speed. When you have a horse who is the obvious, only speed horse, he wins more often than not on the inner.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:35 Gary Contessa
8:35
[Comment From reese reese : ] 
do you ever regret selling Peace Rules before he became a "star"
Friday February 5, 2010 8:35 reese
8:36
Gary Contessa: 
No, I have no regrets whatsoever. I bought him for 35 thousand and sold him for 350 thousand. I have five kids and I have to put them through college. I'm thrilled that he's on my resume.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:36 Gary Contessa
8:37
[Comment From jonb jonb : ] 
is there a rain date for the whirlaway
Friday February 5, 2010 8:37 jonb
8:38
Gary Contessa: 
Yes, next Saturday, one week from tomorrow, February 13. My plans do not change at all if they cancel racing tomorrow and I will run when the race is rescheduled.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:38 Gary Contessa
8:38
[Comment From maps12 maps12 : ] 
Gary..to your point about the number of horses in the shedrow. What happened to Winning Move stable?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:38 maps12
8:41
Gary Contessa: 
Winning Move is emphasizing quality over quantity. He still has 18 horses in my shedrow and I won a race for him today. It's a sign of the times though, we're in a recession. Not everyone wants to have 50 horses right now. He made a big investment in 2 year olds last year and he'll probably do the same this year. There was a time when we claimed a horse out of every single race and we've just re-focused.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:41 Gary Contessa
8:41
[Comment From JK JK : ] 
What is your thoughts on bringing horses back in less than week? I've seen you been successful at it.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:41 JK
8:43
Gary Contessa: 
I'm much more successful at it during the winter than the summer. In the summer, it's all about how long it takes your horse to rehydrate. In the winter, if the horse is sound and healthy you can get away with running a horse back in a week or so because he's not dehydrated from the heat and sun and other weather factors.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:43 Gary Contessa
8:43
[Comment From west coaster west coaster : ] 
is it fair to just toss synthetics horses on dirt and vice versa, Gary?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:43 west coaster
8:46
Gary Contessa: 
Personally, I do not like synthetic surfaces. I think the difference is as big as between dirt and turf. We've created a totally different surface that some horses like and others don't. It's very hard to back a synthetic horse coming onto the dirt for the first time and vice versa. I think it's made handicapping very difficult.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:46 Gary Contessa
8:46
[Comment From marty marty : ] 
how did 85/50 get him name?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:46 marty
8:49
Gary Contessa: 
His name goes hand in hand with the name of his mother, Lifeinthefastlane, and I thought Eightyfiveinafifty was a cool name given how fast he is.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:49 Gary Contessa
8:50
[Comment From omar omar : ] 
Do you Train differently for grass horses/
Friday February 5, 2010 8:50 omar
8:52
Gary Contessa: 
Not really. I find that some grass horses will breeze better on the grass, so sometimes I want to do that, but otherwise they gallop the same amount and have pretty much the same maintenance program. I do however, always take the opportunity to train a horse on the turf because I think it's a great alternative.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:52 Gary Contessa
8:52
[Comment From eric eric : ] 
who is your favorite rider
Friday February 5, 2010 8:52 eric
8:53
Gary Contessa: 
Ramon Dominguez. He can do it all. That's not a well-kept secret. Not only is he a great athlete and a great student of the game, but he's a great person as well. Above and beyond the racetrack.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:53 Gary Contessa
8:54
[Comment From navy1 navy1 : ] 
Gary..Which trainer or trainers on the New York circuit impress you most as conditioners and more importantly honest people?..Thanks
Friday February 5, 2010 8:54 navy1
8:56
Gary Contessa: 
I have always been a big fan of Wayne Lukas. I feel he has transformed the game. My two favorite trainers are Wayne Lukas and Neil Howard. Neil is one of the most honest, straightforward trainers in the game. Wayne has really made a difference and has really transformed racing as we know it today - so many things go back to what he brought to this sport.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:56 Gary Contessa
8:56
[Comment From Old Guy Old Guy : ] 
Gary do you think horses bounce ?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:56 Old Guy
8:57
Gary Contessa: 
I think since we've developed very accurate numbers, it would be very hard to disagree with the bounce theory. Numbers show us that yes indeed, horses do bounce, but not every horse bounces.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:57 Gary Contessa
8:57
Gary Contessa: 
There are exceptions to every rule.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:57 Gary Contessa
8:57
[Comment From marty marty : ] 
Gary do you think horse perk up going from a warm environment to a cold one??
Friday February 5, 2010 8:57 marty
8:58
Gary Contessa: 
Yes. Every year when the horses come from Florida back to New York, those horses usually run tremendous. I think they perk up and I think they breeze well. There is no question in my mind that horses prefer cooler weather to warmer weather.
Friday February 5, 2010 8:58 Gary Contessa
8:58
[Comment From dave dave : ] 
Are you still the president of the Exceller Fund if so what does your role consist of?
Friday February 5, 2010 8:58 dave
9:01
Gary Contessa: 
I am. Probably the biggest role I have is trying to raise funds for all the horses we would like to rehabilitate. We like to say that we never turn away a horse in need, so my biggest job is to find the money to support that horse and the farm to place that horse. I believe tremendously in the rescue and rehabilitation of thoroughbreds and I work hard to support that cause, because I never want to say no to a horse in need.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:01 Gary Contessa
9:02
[Comment From ronnie cohen ronnie cohen : ] 
When you get a new horse in your barn how do you know where he belong?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:02 ronnie cohen
9:03
Gary Contessa: 
If the horse is new and has never run before, I learn by watching him train and observing his body language, those things tell me what he is and where he belongs. If the horse has already run, we know what he is and we just try to make him a little better.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:03 Gary Contessa
9:03
[Comment From fred fred : ] 
how often does a clocker miss of one your horses working out
Friday February 5, 2010 9:03 fred
9:05
Gary Contessa: 
I would say not too often because we call in the names of the horses before they work, but it's a human process and with a human process there's always room for error, so it can happen.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:05 Gary Contessa
9:05
[Comment From Samster Samster : ] 
Gary I remember Cordero used to warm up a lot of horses in the post parade, I mean really run them hard and be sucessful in the race yet I never see that anymore. your thoughts?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:05 Samster
9:06
Gary Contessa: 
I personally love a horse to warm up a lot before a race. Just like any athlete, horses need to warm up. I think it's a lost art. I try to impress upon every jockey that rides for me that I like my horses to warm up good.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:06 Gary Contessa
9:06
[Comment From Al Al : ] 
What's your take regarding tongue ties and how much of an impact does that play in performance?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:06 Al
9:08
Gary Contessa: 
Horses like to play with their tongues. It's just natural. There's a bit in their mouth and it's metal, so it's natural for them to play with it. When they have a bit in their mouth, it is possible for them to suck their tongue back far enough to block the airway. Not all horses play with their tongues, there are exceptions to every rule, but you'll see a tongue tie on almost all of my horses.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:08 Gary Contessa
9:09
[Comment From Jeffrey Jeffrey : ] 
why is it you hardly ride an apprentice, does the weight off matter to you
Friday February 5, 2010 9:09 Jeffrey
9:10
Gary Contessa: 
I do ride apprentices when I am enamored with one, but lately I have not found one who I am overwhelmed with and would prefer to ride a journeyman. The weight does help, but the weight has to go hand in hand with a rider who is making positive decisions as well.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:10 Gary Contessa
9:10
[Comment From Nick Izzo Nick Izzo : ] 
Nice win by Mighty Ego today. How do you feel about him?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:10 Nick Izzo
9:12
Gary Contessa: 
I like him a lot. He's a horse that was sent to me by a client that wanted to sell him. I sold him to the new owners who got to race him for the first time today. It was a very positive win because I had put new owners onto the horse within the last week or two.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:12 Gary Contessa
9:12
[Comment From carol carol : ] 
What do you think could be done to increase thoroughbred breeding in NY?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:12 carol
9:14
Gary Contessa: 
A lot is dependent on the VLTs being installed at Aqueduct and I hope that will happen in the near future. It will have a domino effect on making the breeding program stronger and luring better stallions to the state of New York.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:14 Gary Contessa
9:14
[Comment From Nicki Nicki : ] 
do you ever scratch because of outside posts on the Inner
Friday February 5, 2010 9:14 Nicki
9:15
Gary Contessa: 
I would like to scratch every time I get an outside post on the inner! But, we're here to put on a show and I take my lumps. I think an outside post on the inner is a real challenge though.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:15 Gary Contessa
9:16
[Comment From pole pole : ] 
When an owner request that you claim a horse how long does it take to find one
Friday February 5, 2010 9:16 pole
9:17
Gary Contessa: 
These days, it's been difficult to find solid claims. The claiming game has been tough. I want to make a good claim, so sometimes it can take upwards of a month to find a horse for a new owner that wants to claim.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:17 Gary Contessa
9:17
[Comment From Mike Mike : ] 
Gary are you in favor of strickter testing in the pre race
Friday February 5, 2010 9:17 Mike
9:18
Gary Contessa: 
Yes. I think anything that is universal as far as testing goes is a positive. I think the fans and the public need to know that no stone is left unturned in the quest to make sure the medication is fair and legal. I'm totally in favor of it as long as it's universal and everyone is held accountable in the exact same way.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:18 Gary Contessa
9:19
[Comment From Marty Marty : ] 
What track do you find is the hardest to ship to and why..Thanks
Friday February 5, 2010 9:19 Marty
9:20
Gary Contessa: 
Personally, I find it the most difficult to ship into Monmouth Park and I think it's because the track surface is so unlike the track here in New York. When I'm shipping a horse there for a big race, I send them a week in advance and train over the track once.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:20 Gary Contessa
9:21
[Comment From saveground1 saveground1 : ] 
Gary..How would you categorize the job that Rick Violette has done in leading NYTHA and representing the horsemen?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:21 saveground1
9:21
Gary Contessa: 
Rick puts in hundreds of hours of work in what might be considered the most thankless job in America on behalf of all the horsemen in New York. Remember, you can't please everybody, but I think he does a fantastic job.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:21 Gary Contessa
9:22
[Comment From Lou Lou : ] 
What are the most important things to watch for in the paddock to tell a fan whether a horse is or isn't anxious to race?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:22 Lou
9:24
Gary Contessa: 
I think the most important thing that you do NOT want to see in a horse is extreme nervousness which leads to prolific sweating. Antisocial behavior, a horse really struggling against its handlers in the paddock, is a real negative as far as I'm concerned.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:24 Gary Contessa
9:24
[Comment From Al Al : ] 
In response to outside posts on the inner, your horse Becky's Gift ran well in spite of post 11 and a long layoff. I would think she should move forward?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:24 Al
9:24
Gary Contessa: 
She was claimed, you'll have to ask Cody Autrey!
Friday February 5, 2010 9:24 Gary Contessa
9:26
[Comment From Samster Samster : ] 
Gary who would you suggest as a good public trainer? My son has a two year old who will be in training next month and he really likes him...A NY bred
Friday February 5, 2010 9:26 Samster
9:26
Gary Contessa: 
Is this a trick question? Gary Contessa.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:26 Gary Contessa
9:27
[Comment From JK JK : ] 
who do you consider your mentors in the business?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:27 JK
9:28
Gary Contessa: 
Obviously I've spoken highly many times of Frank Martin. Frank Martin molded me as a trainer. I had another mentor in Johnny Campo. I never worked for him, but I asked him many, many questions and he was always there to answer them. He sent me a lot of horses when I went out on my own.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:28 Gary Contessa
9:28
[Comment From Samantha(12 years old) Samantha(12 years old) : ] 
Do your horses have a certain diet for before they run in a race? Thank you.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:28 Samantha(12 years old)
9:29
Gary Contessa: 
We generally withdraw feed from horses about eight or nine hours before a race, but otherwise their normal, daily diet is what they're fed right up until race day.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:29 Gary Contessa
9:29
[Comment From lonestar1 lonestar1 : ] 
Gary, Do you ever use the Ragozin Sheets as a guide for placing or claiming horses?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:29 lonestar1
9:30
Gary Contessa: 
I am a subscriber to Ragozin Sheets and I use them for many of the day-to-day decisions I make as a trainer.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:30 Gary Contessa
9:30
[Comment From john john : ] 
what you take on glued on shoes
Friday February 5, 2010 9:30 john
9:31
Gary Contessa: 
Excellent. Many horses have very tender feet and thin soles and for these types of feet, glue on shoes have become a Godsend. I would say 15 or 20 percent of my horses wear glue on shoes.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:31 Gary Contessa
9:31
[Comment From rick rick : ] 
Do you go out on a pony when your horses are training in the morning?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:31 rick
9:32
Gary Contessa: 
I did for many years, but not any longer. I have a very bad knee and until I get a knee replacement, I won't be riding. But for the first 10 or 15 years of my career, I always rode the pony.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:32 Gary Contessa
9:33
[Comment From Tom Tom : ] 
I notice you have alot of freud youngsters lately. What is your opinion on that stallion?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:33 Tom
9:34
Gary Contessa: 
I love him. He's a full brother to Giant's Causeway, who is one of the best sires we have today, and every Freud I've ever had can run. They run turf, they run dirt, they run short, they run long. You couldn't ask for a more solid New York sire.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:34 Gary Contessa
9:34
[Comment From bill h bill h : ] 
please share your insights into betting on or training cheaper 2 turn horses who stretch out to marathon races such as the Gallant Fox or Coyote
Friday February 5, 2010 9:34 bill h
9:37
Gary Contessa: 
Marathon racing is a God-given ability for a horse. A horse can either run marathon distances, or he can't. I think a true marathoner who is a cheap horse can run credibly against a true marathoner who is a stakes horse. I love those types of horses. Allemande, who I mentioned earlier, was a marathoner. He held track records at three tracks, all over two miles. It's a lost art.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:37 Gary Contessa
9:38
[Comment From Samster Samster : ] 
Gary please answer this one I want to finally prove to my sons that I'm all knowing. A strong wing blowing down the backstrech helps the speed or the closer?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:38 Samster
9:39
Gary Contessa: 
My opinion is that a strong wind blowing at a horse's back down the backstretch, a tailwind, helps the speed horse. If it's a headwind, if they're running into a strong wind, it hurts the speed horse.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:39 Gary Contessa
9:40
[Comment From TIM D. TIM D. : ] 
What is your take on BAR shoes?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:40 TIM D.
9:42
Gary Contessa: 
I don't like horses that run in them because I don't like the way horses grip the ground wearing bar shoes. Being that there's an exception to every rule, I just won two races with a horse named Diamond District, who wears two bar shoes.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:42 Gary Contessa
9:42
[Comment From Alan Alan : ] 
Gary who was the greatest horse you have seen run?
Friday February 5, 2010 9:42 Alan
9:43
Gary Contessa: 
Hands down, Seattle Slew is the greatest horse I have ever seen run. He was a speed horse and everybody threw their best speed horses at him, did everything to stop him, and virtually had to run him into the ground to get him beat. He was the best horse I've ever seen.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:43 Gary Contessa
9:46
Gary Contessa: 
Okay everyone, I really enjoyed this, but due to time constraints, we can't go on forever. If you see me, please don't be afraid to ask me a question in person. I think this sport needs a strong, educated fan base and I'd be more than happy to answer you. Without fans, we have no racing. You can also direct questions to me through my website, contessaracing.com.
Friday February 5, 2010 9:46 Gary Contessa
9:48