If there is only one regret Matt Zuccarello harbours, and there certainly are few as he approaches each day with a zeal not many people possess, it is that he did not become involved in harness racing in his youth.
“I really do wish I started earlier,” said the 41-year-old New York native. “I grew up five minutes from Belmont Park and right by Roosevelt Raceway. My dad took me to Roosevelt as a kid and there was nothing like it. The stands were always filled with people. That was when I became a fan.
“I remember when my dad told me they were closing Roosevelt and they were not reopening it. That was in my teens and I just was sad. Of course there was still Yonkers, but that was pretty far away for us to drive to.
“Then before you know it I was in college, then in my mid-20s and it was in my late 20s, early 30s before I decided I wanted to work with the horses.”
When Zuccarello sets his mind to something, watch out world, as he accomplishes that goal and zooms on to the next.
Shortly after connecting with Joe Faraldo, he participated in the U.S. Trotting Association’s Driving School and completed all the necessary requirements to obtain his proper credentials not only to steer horses, but condition them.
“I learned everything I could about the horses,” he said. “How to bridle them, harness them and care for them. Then I saved up some money to buy a horse (KC Sunshine) and my first win was with him at Monticello Raceway in 2012.”
Now in his sixth year as an amateur driver, Zuccarello, who is also gainfully employed full-time and is a reporter for these contests, has a record of 278-11-26-33 and capped off his 2014 season with a triumph in the $25,000 C.K.G. Billings Series Gold Cup Championship at Harrah’s Philadelphia.
“That win was absolutely a thrill,” he said. “That was always something I wanted to do and is what all of us on this circuit aspire to. That was extremely special, being in that winner’s circle.”
Zuccarello has already commenced this season with a bang, as from two trips to the post, he has collected one second and one third over the course of the last two weeks at the Meadowlands Racetrack in the GSY Amateur Series.
“With my son arriving on March 19 I’m definitely going to have to slow down on driving for at least a month and a half,” he said. “It is our first child and everyone, trainers and drivers included, have told me what a life-altering experience it is. My plan is to take some time to introduce my son to the world and then drive as much as I can in events like the NAADA and Billings Series. We’ll just have to see how everything goes. Right now this is my hobby and obviously, my son and wife will be my first priority.”
Although piloting horses is not what pays his burgeoning family’s bills, Zuccarello’s passion for the sport extends into all facets of the industry. Not only has he reached out to facilities to lend a hand in marketing and promotion, he has also created his own fractional ownership group, Winners Circle Racing, that he has already experienced success with and has high hopes for the organization’s future.
“We only have one horse racing right now and we started off small of course,” he said. “But over the course of several years we’ve done very well. We’ve improved to about 18 investors that own 2.5 to 50 per cent of a horse, with most of them in the five to 10 per cent range. It provides people with the opportunity to get involved and once they are introduced to the sport, they truly enjoy it.
“It also helps when you win and make a little bit of money, which we did with one of our mares recently and then we sold her so she could be bred. At this point, we are only concentrating on racehorses, as the breeding aspect is far too complex when we are just starting out.
“Currently we are working on a website and already have our Facebook up. We have 588 likes right now, which I’m happy with at this stage, and have our logo. We will be doing more on social media for promotions and do things like have small gatherings. Last year we had a Christmas party with karaoke that everyone had a great time at and we hope to have another party similar to that for this year’s Hambletonian. Having events such as this enable people to know what we are about and have some fun. We are also in the process of having t-shirts and such made as another means of promotion.
“I don’t anticipate we will ever operate on the level of some of the large fractional ownership groups, but I would not be upset if that happened. You never know and the sky is always the limit.”
Despite already achieving many of the personal goals he established for himself, Zuccarello has one wish he is working towards in the near future.
“I have always wanted to call a race,” he said. “I have reached out to some of the racetracks such as Harrah's Philadelphia and Yonkers to express my interest in that opportunity. I have been practicing at home calling races on television for both Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds. It is not easy getting all the names down and being clear illustrating what transpires in a race. The people I have spoken with have been very receptive and it doesn’t matter to me what type of race I call. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a pari-mutuel one, but this is something that is on my list.”
His efforts extend into all arenas of the sport, yet Zuccarello willingly shares what stokes his passion for harness racing.
“Driving is so incredible,” he said. “I pursue drives through social media, texting and calling trainers. I am thankful to all who provide me any chance with any horse. There is nothing like being in the sulky because you are one with the horse. You are controlling all that power and the competition provides an adrenaline rush like nothing else does. For me, anytime I drive it is like a dream come true and I cannot express how grateful I am whenever I can be a part of it.”
(USTA)