Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Personality of the Month
for January 2012

Frank Antonacci, Jr.

To read all about each Personality of the Month for 2012, click on the link below, or better yet, go to our Behind The Scenes roster located at the About Harness Racing tab at the top of this page.

Frank Antonacci, Jr.

Two names associated with “excellence in trotting families,” horseman Frank Antonacci Jr. has been honored with the Lew Barasch Breakthrough Award for 2011.

The “Antonacci” name has long been associated with diamondgaited excellence through their Lindy Farms, with founders Guy (Sonny) Antonacci and “Big Frank” Antonacci enshrined in the sport’s Hall of Fame for their horses’ accomplishments on the racetrack and in the breeding shed. Sonny’s son Frank, along with Frank’s brother Gerry, have carried on the tradition well, with this “middle Frank” recently added to the Hall of Fame’s trustees – and now it appears to be the turn of Frank Jr., 28, to shine.

Frank Jr. graduated from Boston College with a business degree and had intended to set off in the financial world, but an opportunity to be head trainer for Lindy stock such as world champions Crazed and Highscore Kemp presented itself.

Frank Jr. thus entered the backstretch life, but in the past year or so seems to be returning to his educational-based roots to take a more forward role in the operational side of stable activities.

This past year Frank Jr., stating “that there needs to be a grassroots effort for this industry to survive and thrive,” was the primary force behind the Bourbon Slush Stable, a combination of 100 owners who paid $500 apiece to get a fractional share of the eponymous promising colt – ownership that often served as their introduction to the racing business.

Bourbon Slush showed flashes of promise at 2 this year, and the “past performances” of Lindy horses at three (including multiple Hambletonian winners) should make for an exciting campaign, with Frank Jr., “the younger generation,” progressively using social media to keep his ownership group informed.