Dave Spagnola

Dave (“Spag”) Spagnola (O-T)
Ballston Spa, NY
Birthplace: Amsterdam, NY
Birthdate: 11/24/56
Colors: White-Green-Gold

Dave Spagnola began training his own stable with wife Peggy in 1986 after working up the ladder for twelve years from groom to assistant trainer. He started in 1974 with Earl Bean, spent a winter with the Simsers at a Florida training center, and eventually landed with Jimmy Richards, where he stayed for eight years.

Dave started out in 1986 with one broken down horse, I D Guy, improving his performance to 8-8-0 in 20 starts. More owners and the 1987 Peerless McGrath Award followed. Dave trained 1988 Three-Year-Old Pacer of The Year Vic’s Fortune and was voted Trainer of the Year three consecutive years (1989, 1990, 1991) before Brian Cross snapped his string in 1992. Dave returned to the top of the trainer standings in 1993 (72 wins) and joined Percy Davis as the only people to be voted Trainer of the Year four times. 2002 marked the fourteenth year in a row that Dave’s UDRS training percentage was better than .300. In 1998, Dave was named USHWA’s Trainer of the Year, making this the fifth time he has won this prestigious award. Dave again was leading trainer in 2000 and 2001. Dave and Peggy, married in 1985 and have one child, Kyle.

Dave finished fourth in trainer standings for 2007and Amazing Grace was voted three-year-old Trotter of the year.

In 2008, Dave finished second in the trainer standings, and Dr Hanniball was nominated for $4—$5,000 Claiming Pacer of the Year (25—5-3-4 $19,594, with a mark of 1:56.3). Dave’s stable included many Open pacers and trotters.

In 2009, Dave again finished second in the trainer standings and tied for @009 $7,500-$10,000 Claiming Pacer of the Year with Artiology, owned by Michale Polansky.  Dave's stable included many Open pacers and trotters.