Dominic Imprescia, who trained major winner Timely Writer, died in his sleep May 8 at his Hallandale Beach, Fla., home. He was 93.
Timely Writer won several important stakes during his two years of racing for Peter and Francis Martin of Boston. At 2 in 1981 he captured three stakes, including the Hopeful Stakes (gr. I) and the Champagne Stakes (gr. I) and was co-highweighted at 126 pounds with champion colt Deputy Minister on the Experimental Free Handicap.
During his 3-year-old season, Timely Writer prepped for the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) with wins in the Flamingo Stakes (gr. I) and the Florida Derby (gr. I) but missed the Run for the Roses and the other two classics after coming down with an intestinal ailment. He returned to the races that summer. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) in October he fell, breaking his left front cannon bone, and was euthanized.
Gulfstream Park, home of the Florida Derby, honored Timely Writer with a stakes named after him in March.The stakes, a prep for the Kentucky Derby, was won by Mike Repole’s Uncle Mo . Imprescia helped in the presentation of the trophy.
“He enjoyed it and was happy to see everyone,” said his son, Dominic Jr., who also became a trainer.
The elder Imprescia trained 10 stakes winners. Dominic Jr.’s charges included Jackie Wackie, who won the 1991 Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington International Racecourse. Jackie Wackie raced for Dominic Jr.’s aunt, Carol Rocca, and Gus DeMarinis.
Imprescia also is survived by a daughter, Gail. His several siblings who survive him include sisters Anna, who is 100, and Palma, 98.