Page 9 - July 2007 The Game

Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper The Game, July 2007 9
On the Right Path
There are many paths in life that you can choose to take.
Some people choose their way because it is the only road they know, following in the footsteps of the people that came before them. Fortunately for trainer Gary Aimonetti, he found an opportunity to follow a better path and he has no intention of turning back.
The youngest of four children, Gary grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, learning all he needed to know from his hard knocking life on the city streets.
“My mother was a single mother, raising four kids on her own.” confessed Gary, “It was a rough neighbourhood and I was a rough kid.”
His father was an alcoholic and left the family to fend for themselves when Gary was just a boy, “We grew up poor and I had to fight for whatever I got.”, he said recalling his tumultuous childhood, “I never went to school. I’ve been a fighter all my life which now, I realize, has made me very strong willed.”
Gary was introduced to horses and a new life at the racetrack in the 1980’s when he was sixteen. Two years earlier, his mother Dianne married an American horse owner, Brian Aimonetti, and they moved to the US. Gary began hotwalking for trainer Bill Mott and was fortunate to work with great people and horses such as Taylors Special, Sefa’s Beauty and Heatherton. In his rebellious teenage mind he often questioned the traditional methods of horsemanship and it wouldn’t be until much later in life that he would realize that his teachers knew what they were talking
about. Unfortunately, at the same time, a demon from his past was also beginning to take hold of his life. Alcohol.
Gary continued to work as a groom or exercise rider in the racing industry in New Orleans and Kentucky learning the subtleties of horsemanship and taking aim at becoming a trainer. In the morning he would work hard and absorb information and experiences. But by the end of the day his life became clouded with the affects of his drinking.
Gary was functioning, but not really living. His life slipped by, day by day, drink by drink. Coming off of a stint with trainer Tom Amoss, Gary returned to Canada in 2003 with trainer MIke Mareina at Woodbine and again the following year as an Assistant at Woodbine for top Fort Erie trainer, Layne
Giliforte.
He spent the next year in Arkansas with
trainer Steve Asmussen and once again returned to Woodbine in 2006 with his own trainer’s license and a new lease on life.
“My mother left her husband a few years back and re-married David McCandless.” explained Gary, “They gave me the opportunity that I needed to get started. They bought a horse for me to train, Cousin Sally. The opportunity came with the one plea...that I stop drinking.
“I am an alcoholic and I have been sober for two years.” Gary stated with conviction as emotion filled tears welled up in his eyes. “I quit drinking. I drank all my life.”
While in Arkansas Gary had checked himself into a rehab centre and completed an intense seven week out patient program.
“It made me see the light and that my life was not that bad.” he continued deep in emotion, “It made me see another side to
living than what I was doing.”
Today, Gary has it all together and is
using the skills he absorbed from his years spent with some of the best trainers in the United States. He is in charge of 5 horses in training at Woodbine including Cousin Sally, whose most recent win was on June 10 at Woodbine for $37,500 claiming, coming off a win earlier in the season.
Cousin Sally was originally bought privately for $12,500. Owned in partner- ship with Gary’s mother Dianne and his stepfather David, the now 6 year old mare has made more than $120,000. Dianne and David, who run a locksmith company in Arkansas, also owned Lucky Jen who they claimed for $10,000 and enjoyed returns of $100,000 in purse earnings.
“The people I worked for taught me a lot. I have respect for those guys. Those guys are horsemen.” says Gary, “The people I have working for me now, I hope to show them what I was taught. We are a well lubed machine and I wouldn’t have this without them.”
Jackie Young is Gary’s Assistant and Steve Norman is a new groom learning the ropes, “I show them how I learned. We work hard and that's where success comes from.”
The other horses in his care are Fortune Or Folly, a recent $66,000 MSW winner on June 20 for owner James Justiss; Lady Moon who is owned by Lisa Guaraldi, recently finished fourth for $60,000 MSW on June 24; Gypsy Trial, was claimed from Lisa Guaraldi by FV
Trainer Gary Aimonetti & Cousin Sally at Woodbine
Racing Stable on June 20 for $20,000 after finishing out of the money.; and Miss Pruitt .
The fight for life that Gary had when he was growing up is now being channeled to good use down a path to success. Gary has plans to be married to his fiance Sue on July 18 and says that Sue and his 12-year-old son Ryan are the loves of his life.
“Sue is someone I look forward to having a wonderful life with.” says Gary with a thoughtful smile, “My son and I are very close. He lives in Kentucky with his mother. Family is very important to me.
“This is my life now. This is where I want tobeandwhatIwanttodo.
“My business is growing slowly and I remember where I came from. I know I could never be better than the guys I learned from...but I could be just as good.
“I now know where I want to go and I am thankful for the opportunity.”
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Jimmy Mac - Continued from Page 8
“I’ve set up a goal for the first of August,” he says with an edge of certainty in his voice. “I think it’s a realistic goal, possibly sooner, possibly later.”
McAleney’s agent Danny Williams has also taken a hit with his main client out of the game, but he’s equally confident his guy will pick up right where he left off.
“He’s got really good loyalty in his business,” says Williams. “The people that he’s sur- rounded himself with are very loyal to him and he’s very loyal to them.”
Hard to imagine a silver lining from a broken femur and the shattered chance to climb up the jockey standings in what would have been his 20th season as a pro rider, but typically, McAleney is able to
spin his grief into a
positive picture, cit-
ing the beneficial
opportunity to be
with wife Kim and
their two children,
Cody, 11 and
Caitlin, 7.
“Never do I get to spend time with my wife and kids during the summertime,” he says. “To have this summer off is a pos- itive.”
And how do the loved ones feel about the many extra hours that Dad is home?
“It’s been good,” he says with a laugh that tells you every- thing is great. “I haven’t been kicked out yet!”
Backstretch Party • Celebrating a Win • After the Races
We Have Everything You Need
• Freshly prepared fruits, vegetables and salads
• Party Platters • Assorted Cheeses & deli meats • Fresh and frozen barbeque meats
• Fresh Hot gourmet pizzas & specialty sandwiches and much more!
Enjoy a fabulous selection of fine wines from Colio Estates Wines
After the Races...Take home a Meal to Go! Fresh barbequed ribs, chicken wings, wedge fries, Chinese Food, Sushi & More! Spruce up your barn with a visit to our Garden Centre
or visit our full service floral design shop
Fortino’s (Queens Plate Drive) Ltd. Hwy 27. & Queens Plate Drive, just North of Rexdale Blvd. 416-745-4675
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-9pm,Fri-10pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-8pm
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