by Steve Myrick

Joseph A. Scafidi, a prominent and popular New England Thoroughbred owner died from complications of cancer on April 8.  He was 65.

Scafidi, founder of a local transportation company, was part of the racing scene for nearly three decades.

“He was a wonderful guy,” said Michael Collins, who most recently trained horses for Scafidi. “We didn’t have any arguments, we just did it.”

Scafidi reveled in the claiming aspect of the game, combining his knowledge of racing and his business sense to scratch out a profit. Among his best known runners was Malaika, who won the Hannah Dustin Handicap at Suffolk Downs in 1980, and Itsawonderfulife, 2005 New England champion older male.

He formed Crazy 8 Stable with a group of friends who were drawn into the sport by his enthusiasm.

“He had a lot of friends,” said Maurice Ryan, who was part of several partnerships with Scafidi. “I barely knew the front from the back of a horse. He kind of took me under his wing. He explained how to read the program, kind of what to look for in a race, or a horse. It wasn’t a real money making operation, but it paid the bills.”

Scafidi is survived by his wife Carmela, a daughter, two brothers, and four grandchildren.

Steve Myrick is a Massachusetts-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent