SerpApi.Org
Nick Santagata is extremely proud of becoming the first person to receive the Mike Venezia Award after his riding career ended. He also wishes the award for extraordinary sportsmanship and citizenship never needed to be created.
Santagata was competing against Venezia in the fifth race at Belmont Park on Oct. 13, 1988, when his good friend’s mount, Mr. Walter K, broke his right front leg, sending his rider to the track and into the path of Dreams in the Night.
Santagata, riding inside of Venezia, feared the worst. The worst happened. Dreams in the Night, with no place to go, trampled Venezia and appeared to inadvertently kick him in the head.
“Mike had no shot,” Santagata said. “He had no shot to avoid anything.”
Santagata returned to the jockeys’ room to receive the awful news. Venezia, months from a planned retirement, was gone. He was 43. Mr. Walter K, a 3-year-old gelding, was euthanized.
“Sometimes I don’t like to talk about it,” Santagata said. “You know what I’m saying?”
The two men had enjoyed a special kinship. Both hailed from Brooklyn. Santagata had viewed him as a mentor. When Santagata married Lori four years before, Venezia was among those who toasted the happy couple.
The tragic accident reinforced what Santagata had always known about his chosen career.
“You walk into the jocks’ room,” he said, “and you are not guaranteed to walk out of the jocks’ room at the end of the day.”
Santagata’s size went a long way toward determining his career path. He starred at the Little League level and dreamed of playing shortstop for the New York Yankees. Then he hit his teenage years. His teammates grew and grew. He remained at 5'2".
“As you get older, reality sets in,” he said. “I made a right-hand turn to the racetrack. Best decision I ever made.”
He rode his first full season in 1978 and became a valet upon his retirement in 2008. He finished with 4,144 victories and more than $74 million in earnings.
“Nick was a jockey’s jockey - tough, dedicated and with an enduring love for our sport,” said Terry Meyocks, president and chief executive officer of the Jockeys’ Guild.
The winner of the Venezia Award is chosen by members of Venezia’s family, close friend and former jockey Richard Migliore, and Jockeys’ Guild representatives. It has been presented annually since 1989, when it was bestowed upon Venezia posthumously. It is viewed as one of the most prestigious honors a jockey can receive.
In the case of Santagata, 69, the award not only salutes his riding career but also the many years he has mentored young riders as a valet. He currently assists Chris Elliott, 20, a promising rider and the son of veteran jockey Stewart Elliott.
“It’s great to be working in the jocks’ room,” Santagata said. “We have a bunch of great people there. I make a good living in the jocks’ room, thank God.”
The Venezia Award is also a nod to his passion for riding. He worked as an exercise rider until he broke his ankle two years ago. Lori gently suggested the injury was a sign that he should not be on horseback any longer.
Still, he went from barn to barn, asking who might need him. While exercise riders are often in demand, trainer after trainer said he did not have an opening. After a few rejections, he got the idea.
“The game will go on without you, you know what I’m saying?” Santagata said.
As a valet, he continues to saddle horses. He sees no end to that.
“I’d love to saddle horses until I can’t do it no more,” he said. “Thank God, I’m moving. Everything is moving.”
Santagata could not be in a better place. He and Lori welcomed their first grandchild when their daughter, Nicole, gave birth to Cameron four months ago, bringing them boundless joy. One of New York racing’s most popular figures will be surrounded by family and so many friends when he receives the Venezia Award on Aug. 2 during a winner’s circle ceremony at Saratoga Race Course.
“It was a great run,” Santagata said, ever mindful of Venezia’s fate.
