MTHA President William Lagorio Dies at 63

Stakes-winning trainer William G. Lagorio, the president of the Massachusetts Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, lost his long battle with pancreatic cancer March 19. He was 63. "There are over 500 tributes to him posted on Facebook. He was the most wonderful person. He made everybody smile, even his doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital, all the while he was courageously facing this horrific disease," said his sister, Judy Lagorio Golditch. Lagorio, who conditioned horses for more than 35 years, was a longtime fixture at the tracks on the old New England circuit. He was well-known for giving young riders, including jockey Janelle Campbell, a leg up in the sport and for keeping the welcome mat out at his barn. "His tack room was always filled with cold cuts, pastries, drinks, and all kinds of food and everyone would stop by to grab a coffee and something to eat or to just visit," said his sister. "His door was open to everyone. He loved the horses, loved the people on the backside, and loved the racetrack." Lagorio was also well-known for his tireless and passionate advocacy for the return of live Thoroughbred racing to the Commonwealth and to the region. In the wake of the 2014 announcement by the then-owners of Suffolk Downs that live meets would come to an end due to their inability to secure the sole Boston-area casino license, a faction of the horsemen splintered off from the New England HBPA and formed the rival Massachusetts Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. Lagorio was MTHA's only president. In his role, he often testified on matters before the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, spoke on bills under consideration by the state legislature, and lobbied lawmakers. "Billy would stand up and speak with chemotherapy bags strapped to his body under his suit jacket. No one ever knew that. He fought hard for the horsemen until the end," Golditch said. Lagorio grew up in the shadow of Suffolk Downs in Revere, Mass. and was a graduate of St. Dominic Savio High School in the city. He got his start in the business when he bought his first racehorse and his best friend taught him how to train the horse. From 1991 to 2015 he saddled 1,192 runners who earned $916,456 with a record of 74-94-139, according to Equibase. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia, his sister, brothers Peter Lagorio and Richard Lagorio, and several nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call on Monday, March 28 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Paul Buonfiglio Funeral Home, 128 Revere Street in Revere, Mass. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony's Church in Revere at noon, followed by a funeral procession to Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway in Malden, Mass.