NEWS
Pennsylvania-based trainer Bellucci dies
Posted: Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Bruno Bellucci, a longtime leader among trainers at Penn National Race Course, died on November 5 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was 70.
A native of Chicago, Bellucci started working at Arlington Park after leaving the military in 1957 and received his trainer's license two years later. He arrived in Central Pennsylvania in 1974 and enjoyed his best local campaign in '94, when he saddled 161 winners from 806 starters.
Since 1976, Bellucci's horses compiled purse earnings of $8,054,095 while winning 1,512 races from 10,528 starts. He saddled Chief Whitehair to victory in the 1997 William Livingston Stakes at the Meadowlands.
Bellucci trained American Moon, who set a track record at Penn National by winning nine-consecutive starts in 1979. The Lunar Voyage horse concluded his season with 12 wins.
"Bruno was very successful but never really clamored for the spotlight," Penn National Publicity Director Fred Lipkin said. "He surrounded himself with a dedicated staff or caretakers, exercise riders, and jockeys, and preferred to give them the praise and credit for making him a success.
"He always had a smile, and if anyone asked, he always had a story about the game. He will be dearly missed by the many friends he made over the years."
Bellucci is survived by his wife, Patricia, and daughters Annette, Pam, and Diane, and sons Bruno and Philip. Pam operates a public racing stable at Penn National.
