Former Standardbred trainer Vincent Aurigemma, 72, of Silver Spring, Md., passed away on Saturday (Aug. 8) after a long battle with diabetes.

Aurigemma was born Aug. 13, 1947, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He graduated from New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn and attended Queens College for three years majoring in political science and history.

He started his harness racing career at Roosevelt Raceway in 1968 under
trainer-driver Joe Firetti, and then had tenures with Jimmy Cruise and Joe Faraldo before branching out on his own. In 1975, he successfully campaigned a one-horse stable of Less Tired which would lead him to developing one of the leading stables in the country.

During the 1980s, Aurigemma won multiple training titles at both Roosevelt and Yonkers Raceways. He campaigned world champions Skip By Night and Time O Nic along with Division Street, Brisk Air, Sudden Urge and many others during his career.

Arrangements will be announced as they become available.

Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the friends and family of Vincent Aurigemma.

UPDATE

Aurigemma's family has held a private service in Maryland. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorial contributions in his name be made to the Standardbred Retirement Foundation (www.adoptahorse.org).

The family is planning on having an online facebook memorial service in mid-September. The date and time will be announced once it is finalized.

(Harness Racing Alumni Association)