The Standardbred Owners Association of New York (SOANY) has announced the winners of the 2025 John R. Brennan Scholarship Awards.
The three recipients of the 2025 John R. Brennan Scholarship Awards are Ryley Fusco in first place, receiving $10,000 USD, Cassidy Maglio in second place, receiving $5,000 USD, and Kyle Switzer in third place, receiving $3,000 USD.
Fusco is attending the University of North Carolina at Charlotte pursuing a degree in Biology. Her father, Paul, has been a driver and trainer since 1991 and has 330 driving wins and 909 training wins.
Maglio will be attending Pace University in New York City pursing a doctorate degree in Pediatric Medicine. Her mother, Diana, is a caretaker, was a trainer from 1997 to 2023 and has owned horses since 1994.
Switzer will be attending Rowan University in New Jersey pursing a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering. His father, Paul, is an owner since 2024 and has owned 14 horses.
Joseph Faraldo, President of the SOANY, and Sandra Kaufman, Scholarship Chairperson, would like to thank the 14 applicants for applying to the 2025 John R. Brennan Scholarship. The 14 applications received were the highest number in the most recent years.
The scholarship award is named after a longtime good friend of Yonkers Raceway, horse trainer and SOANY field representative John Brennan. The annual SOANY / Yonkers Raceway John R. Brennan Scholarships are awarded to SOANY members in good standing, members of their immediate families and immediate family members of a caretaker for studies beyond the high school level. The recipient is chosen based on merit and financial need. The applicants were judged first by an independent third party, which narrowed it down to five candidates. Then the Scholarship Committee selected the three winners from the five finalists. Personal information from all the candidates was redacted when presented to the independent party and the Scholarship Committee to assure a blind judging process.
(With files from SOANY)