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Gerald Bennett on way to being Tampa Bay Downs' top trainer

 
Published April 22, 2017

OLDSMAR — Tampa Bay Downs announcer Richard Grunder had to give details of the latest race, so many conversations were drowned out when his voice came through the track's PA system.

The discussion in trainer Gerald Bennett's grandstand box wasn't one of them. James Georgeades, a Tarpon Springs resident and one of Bennett's thoroughbred owners, was making his point — loud and clear.

"If (seven-time Eclipse Award winning trainer) Todd Pletcher had the caliber of horses that Gerald's got, he would never, never win a race … and I've been around the best in the game," said Georgeades, who cut his teeth on New York racing. "(Pletcher) has clients that race horses and (buy them) for $800,000 and $1.2 million. It isn't real hard to get a couple of winners.

"The biggest thing about Gerald is the care that he puts into those horses. If the horse isn't right — if it's just a little off — he'll stop (running them) immediately. (Bennett) is probably one of the best (trainers) in the country."

Bennett, 73, a native of Springhill, Nova Scotia, didn't interrupt. His resume speaks for itself.

For the second year in a row and third time in his career, Bennett will be the Downs leading trainer. He has a double-digit win lead over Kathleen O'Connell as the meet heads toward its traditional closing May 7. Entering Friday, Bennett ranked 18th all-time in the sport with 3,651 victories, only three behind late Hall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel. His horses had earned more than $36 million.

"I want to be No. 1, and it's the only place to be," Bennett said. "You work hard to do that — get up every morning at 4 o'clock, take care of the business (and) make sure the horse is eating good.

"You have the owners stand behind you, and you have the stock. I've got Carlos (Cacho), my assistant. His dad works for me, and two other brothers. I've had the same help for a long time."

Bennett has been atop the Downs standings most of the meet, sparked by a perfect Dec. 7 card when he tied a track record with wins on all four horses he saddled, a feat he also pulled off in his previous title season. Bennett won four stakes, the first by Chance of Luck (Inaugural). The others were by four-time career stakes winner R Angel Katelyn (Florida Cup Sophomore Fillies, Gasparilla and Sandpiper).

The meet has taken its toll on Bennett's barn. He has lost 14 horses through the claiming box, and several others to injuries. When the Downs meet is over, Bennett said he will "probably be down to 25 horses." He will go to Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach for the summer and try to rebuild his stable.

"A lot of my older owners are not in the claiming game and buying the way they used to," Bennett said. "Maybe I can connect with some breeders to train for. That's what you need here in the state of Florida."