Saratoga Springs NY – Richard R. (Dick) DeSantis, formerly of Saratoga Springs NY, crossed the finish line Dec.24th, early Christmas Eve morning. He was 88 years of age.
Dick was born in Fonda, New York, June 25, 1936, to Joseph and Harriet (Horning) DeSantis.
In addition to his parents, Dick was predeceased by his siblings- Theresa, Joseph, Mary, Margaret, Gloria and Nellie.
Dick began training standardbred horses with his brother at the age of 10, which led to a successful decades long career as a harness trainer/driver throughout the US and Canada.
Dick owned and operated his own racing stable at Saratoga Raceway and Vernon Downs. He also trained and drove for notable horsemen Bill Haughton, Stanley Dancer and A.M. Cuddy, with whom Dick raced strictly NY Sire Stakes and Grand Circuit.
Other career highlights include: campaigning aged trotting mare, Keystone Pioneer to victory in the Filly division of the Hambletonian in two straight heats in 1975 and 76 (winning 13 races in a row), earning leading driver titles at Saratoga Raceway and Vernon Downs and winning the last official Grand Circuit race in Goshen, New York with Vaudville.
After Dick retired from racing, he continued working as a horse identifier and racing judge at various Midwest harness tracks, including Indiana downs.
He leaves behind five children: Catherine, Diane Rossi (Tim), Christine, Robert (Liz) and Joseph and his 4 grandchildren- Zachary, Catherine, Riley Rossi and Elena DeSantis, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Services were private.
Remembrances in Dick’s name may be made to :
sunshinehorses.org or hopeanimalrescue.org or any animal advocacy organization of your choice.