The Racehorse Named After a Local Funeral Director

The Leete-Stevens funeral homes serve the communities of Enfield, Somers, and Windsor Locks in north central Connecticut. Until his death on January 15, 2009, John J. Lee of Chestnut Street in Windsor Locks served these communities for 46 years.

A former selectman in Windsor Locks, John also served on many local boards and commissions for the town, but it was the understanding, compassion, and trust that he brought to people in their time of need that earned him the respect of everyone. First selectman Steven Wawruck said of John Lee upon his passing: "The death of John Lee leaves a giant void in the town of Windsor Locks. He had the respect of the entire town." Thanks to the Roncari family and Script R Farm of Windsor Locks, John’s name lives on in a way that would have amused him: a racehorse on the New York circuit now bears his name.

I traveled to storied Belmont Park Saturday to meet "Winloc’s John Lee" and his most likeable trainer – former jockey, Mike Miceli. Mike showed me around the barn, and I got to pet John’s namesake, a very friendly three-year old bay gelding (see photo). Winloc’s John Lee was foaled on March 27, 2008, just four days after his namesake’s 66th (and last) birthday. The horse’s sire is Belong To Me, a very successful dirt sprinter in his day. Belong To Me’s sire, Danzig, however, is a powerful turf sire and that is why John Lee’s three races so far have all been on turf. In fact, Belong To Me’s most famous offspring is the filly Forever Together, a Breeder’s Cup champion and two-time winner of the Grade I Diana Handicap on the grass at Saratoga.

John’s first race was June 25th at Belmont on the turf at seven furlongs (7/8 of a mile). He ran fairly well, finishing fourth in the race. He reappeared on the turf at a mile and a sixteenth on opening day at Saratoga, July 22, and finished a close-up sixth. In both races John got nervous in the paddock and broke tardily from the gate. On Saturday, John ran in the 10th race at Belmont, one mile on the turf. Piloted by Garrett Gomez, one of the nation’s top jockeys, John was once again nervous in the saddling area of the paddock. Though he tolerated his experience in the starting gate much better this time, he once again broke tardily – 10th out of 12 – and trailed the field early.

As the horses turned for home, Gomez swung John out from the rail, and he commenced a powerful wide rally that fell just short. He finished third, missing by about three lengths. John passed nine horses in the stretch and was clearly the fastest closing horse in the race, running his final quarter in about 24 seconds flat – a very good time on a turf course softened recently by rain. It was his best race so far. After the race, jockey Garrett Gomez told trainer Mike Miceli that John performs better when he is on the outside of horses. It seems that John is a bit claustrophobic.

Ray Roncari started Script R Farm in 1963. His daughter, Leslie, picked up her dad’s passion for horses and continues the operation today. One of the farm’s traditions is to name their racehorses after people in Windsor Locks. For example, a number of years ago Banker Bob was named after one of the town’s most respected citizens and friend of the Roncari family, Bob Taravella. That tradition has continued with the naming of Winloc’s John Lee, who, with a little luck, will find his way to the winner’s circle soon.

Notes, Sources, and Links

   4.John will probably run again at Belmont sometime in    October.