Tony Alagna, who for the past seven years has been an assistant trainer for Erv Miller, will open his own stable following the Grand Circuit meet at Lexington’s Red Mile in October

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A native of Illinois, the 37-year-old Alagna will be stabled at Gaitway Farms in central New Jersey. He hopes to have a stable of 20 to 25 horses.

“I talked to Erv after the Hambletonian eliminations and let him know I thought I was ready to open my own stable,” Alagna said. “Erv was very supportive of it. He understood it was time for me to try to make it on my own. I’d like to get some decent horses for the winter and some nice horses for next year. I don’t have a ton of horses committed by name, but I have individuals that are committed to buy some horses for me.”

Alagna followed his parents into the sport and his mother, Donna Lee Ozment, still trains in Chicago. He worked as an assistant for the Brian Pinske Stable and was the private trainer for Doc and Pat Walker’s Fox Valley Standardbreds stable prior to joining the Erv Miller Stable.

“I know it’s difficult to make the first call; I’ve had experience with that,” Alagna said. “When I was with Fox Valley, the weight was on my shoulders. I’m ready for that. I’m looking forward to that.”

(Harness Racing Communications)