Dr. Mark Dedomenico, who reached racing’s heights on the monitor as an proprietor of 2010 champion filly Blind Luck and off the monitor with the Pegasus Coaching and Rehabilitation Heart close to his Redmond, Wash. residence, died Dec. 7. He was 87.
Campaigned by Dedomenico, John Carver, Peter Abruzzo, and coach Jerry Hollendorfer, Blind Luck gained the 2010 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1) to nail down Eclipse honors. She returned at 4 to win the Self-importance Handicap (G1). The daughter of Pollard’s Imaginative and prescient captured grade 1 stakes in every of her three seasons—taking the Oak Leaf Stakes (G1) at 2.
In honoring Dedomenico in 2017 with a lifetime achievement award, the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and House owners Affiliation described Dedomenico as a contemporary Renaissance man, noting the “second era horseman has been a outstanding cardiac surgeon, inventor, creator, is a founding member of Seattle’s Hope Coronary heart Institute, owns and operates the massive PRO Sports activities Well being Membership, constructed and operates the state-of the-art Pegasus Coaching and Rehabilitation Heart (for all breeds of horses, not simply Thoroughbreds) and has raced multiple high runner who has gained nationwide recognition. He additionally sits on the board of the Thoroughbred House owners of California and is a former WTBOA board member.”
In a Dec. 8 social media submit, coach Michael Puhich mourned Dedomenico’s passing.
“Horse racing and well being care misplaced a real legend whose legacies will reside on without end,” stated Puhich, who skilled Profound Second, a stakes winner at Emerald Downs, and different horses for Dedomenico. “I can really say it was an honor and privilege to work for him. … I am unable to assist however really feel I misplaced a father.”
Puhich additionally served as coach and director of horse operations at Pegasus Coaching and Rehabilitation.
In partnership Dedomenico campaigned grade 3 winner and 2007 Kentucky Derby (G1) starter Bwana Bull. He additionally campaigned grade 2 winner Washington Bridge and grade 3 winner Wonderlandbynight. One other high Washington-based runner was 2015 Emerald Downs Derby winner Prime Engine.
As son of Paskey Dedomenico, who was a outstanding Thoroughbred purchaser, proprietor, and breeder within the Pacific Northwest throughout the Nineteen Seventies and Eighties underneath the “Roni” banner (in homage to the household’s Golden Grain firm, which made, amongst many outstanding meals merchandise, Rice-a-Roni), Mark was born right into a racing household. His father based Woods Creek Coaching Heart in Redmond (which Mark would hold going).
In line with the WTBOA, Dedomenico partnered with Dr. Wayne McIlwaith, DVM, of Colorado State College to analysis new remedies for equine center and decrease knee accidents, in addition to the usage of platelet wealthy plasma and stem cell remedy.
On the 2015 WTBOA annual awards dinner Dedomenico was honored with the celebrated S. J. Agnew Particular Achievement Award for his management, foresight, and contributions to the Washington Thoroughbred business.
