Former Owner of JJ's Gazette, Attorney Ralph Pocaro, passes at age 80
Ralph Pocaro, a New Jersey attorney active in harness racing for many years, died Sunday at age 80 in the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center. He suffered from ALS, known commonly as Lou Gehrig's Disease.
In an article in the Newark Star-Ledger, trainer and partner Richie Bonvie said, "His love was horses. That was his true, true love." (See note below for more information.)
Until recently, Bonvie and Pocaro shared ownership in the 3-year-old pacer Ralph And Richie p, 2, 1:55.3 ($35,233), a son of Matt's Scooter.
Pocaro also owned the standout pacer Guts, a son of Raven Hanover that fought against On The Road Again in many of the classics for sophomore pacers in 1984. Guts retired with more than $1.6 million in the bank.
Pocaro is survived by his wife Toni, daughters Kris Halpern and Cindy Jenkins, sons Jeffrey and Steven, and nine grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:45 am on Thursday at the Paul Ippolito Summit Memorial in Summit, New Jersey.
Source: USTA Website (05-30-06)
Note: Until earlier this year, Ralph Pocaro was also a co-owner of Indiana-sired JJ's Gazette
. The son of Whiteland Fella has competed in many Indiana Sires Stakes events. He was trained in 2005 by Ernie Gaskin.