Memorial race honors beloved member of Saratoga track family
Friday’s Race 9 was dedicated to Bob Verbanic, whose early story embodies the behind-the-scenes magic of Saratoga track life.
Track insider Sue Jeffreys’ simple Instagram post featured a photo of Friday’s Race 9 Post Parade entry and was captioned, “Blessings to the Verbanic Family.” The name of the race: The Bob Verbanic Memorial.
The race — won by Three B’s with Joel Rosario aboard — honored the youngest sibling of the Verbanic family, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 57. His Saratoga loved ones remember his time working at the track and gathered near the Winner’s Circle to watch his race on Friday, a few hours after spreading his ashes at the Infield finish line that morning.
“I sprinkled some of his ashes on and near the base of champion Go For Wand’s burial stone,” says his eldest sister, Gerette “Gigi” Verbanic, a hot walker for trainer Melanie Giddings. “My brother would love it with everything in him. I am indebted to NYRA. What a tremendous gift to the family.”
Bob was born and raised in Saratoga, and even started his career here with his choice of summer job at the track. “He was a Pinkerton at a very young age, around 18,” Gigi says of the detective agency that was founded in 1850 and worked with the track until 1989. “He absolutely loved it. As a Pinkerton, he did security and stall/barn checks, and escorted the jockeys on the grounds.”
When Bob was about 22 he moved to Louisville and enjoyed a long career in security after those early, beloved years doing his barn checks — and never let his eyes veer too far from Saratoga Race Course
“Bobby loved Thoroughbreds as much as I do,” Gigi tells the Dispatch. “Our phone calls after, ‘Hi, how are you, how are the dogs?’ were all about the horses, their pedigree and their careers. We loved those conversations as we shared a deep, deep love and respect for the Thoroughbred horse. I wish my brother knew how much he taught me long before hot walking. How I will miss our talks.”
Gigi embodies the pure love of horses that the Verbanic family exhibit, sprinkling her stories and memories with “horses first.” Giddings recently named a horse — Gigi Cake’s — after her. The filly’s sire was none other than Tiz the Law and was named after the hot walker’s reputation for bringing cakes to the barn to celebrate workers’ birthdays. “I’ve never heard of any trainer doing this,” Gigi says. “I will always be indebted and grateful for this monumental dream come true, thanks to Melanie and all of her connections. I’m so proud to work for a woman of integrity always putting her horses first.”
Bob passed away March 4 and is survived by his five siblings: Gigi plus Joe, Jackie Verbanic-Smith, Kristen Kristel and Mike.
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