Stable merger results in fewer horses for Schettino

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Anthony Bonomo’s Brooklyn Boyz Stable and his wife Mary Ellen’s MEB Stable have merged operations with Vinnie Viola’s St. Elias Stable and his wife Teresa Viola’s stable. As a result, several horses have been transferred from Dominick Schettino and will be split between trainers Todd Pletcher and Chad Brown.

Anthony Bonomo said the decision to merge operations was purely an economic one. He said he has been lifelong friends with Vinnie Viola, and this move helps him stay in the game. Last year, Bonomo and Viola partnered on Greenpointcrusader, who won the Grade 1 Champagne while trained by Schettino. Greenpointcrusader, currently recovering from an injury, is expected to go to Pletcher.

While Bonomo said it hurts having to remove horses from Schettino, he’s glad he can remain in the sport.

“It’s kind of cool when a good friend steps up to help you and keeps you in a business you love,” Bonomo said. “Five years ago, I had 61 horses; two years ago, I had 41; and now I’m down to 15. This business can make very wealthy people poor.”

Bonomo had nothing but praise for Schettino, calling him, “One of the sport’s most underrated trainers.”

“It’s more a product of my inability to buy the right horses than Dominick’s inability to train them,” Bonomo said. “Dominick’s a fantastic trainer. This business, you got to sometime make moves, and sometimes they’re really hard to make.”

Both Bonomo and Schettino said they remain close friends – Bonomo spoke while outside of Schettino’s barn. Schettino said he will be down to 18 to 20 horses.

“Things happen,” Schettino said. “He had to do it for his personal reason. We’re still great friends. I’m still friends with Vinnie and Teresa, and I wish them the best of luck.”

Schettino has trained his share of stakes winners, including Galloping Grocer, Serious Spender, Frosty Bay, Mariel N Kathy, and Lovely Syn.