by Sherry Skramstad

Scranton, PA — Margaret “Peggy” Cardassi, 70, a longtime trainer and companion of the late trainer/blacksmith George Schade, died Nov. 20, 2011.

Ms. Cardassi competed mostly at Monticello Raceway and at Pocono Downs. USTA records show her with 304 training wins since 1991, but she was in the business since she was a teenager.

Always willing to cooperate with publicists at any track where she was stabled, Ms. Cardassi brought one of her trotters to the track apron at Pocono Downs in 1987, before the start of the evening’s races, and proceeded to “dress” him in front of a crowd of patrons, explaining the name and purpose of every piece of equipment, in which the crowd showed immense interest and for which they seemed very appreciative.

She would also lend fellow trainers a bale of hay, a bag of feed or a piece of equipment whenever they needed it.

Ms. Cardassi paired with several trainers and drivers over the years and usually campaigned a barn of eight to ten horses.