Louis Mondello, a trainer on the New York circuit for many years, died Sept. 1 at the age of 81. A native of East Harlem, N.Y., he resided in Hicksville, Long Island.Mr. Mondello credited Hall of Fame trainer Allen Jerkens with helping him and encouraging him as a trainer when he started in 1958. In 1963, he won the Mitch Miller Handicap at Suffolk Downs with Rough Note and in 1969, he won the San Fernando Handicap at Santa Anita with Cavamore. Other stakes winners were Young and Foolish, Zazzie and Mochila. His little "big" horse, however, was Bar Dexter. Although he only weighed 800 pounds, Bar Dexter won the Roamer Handicap in 1980 and the Queens County and Gallant Fox Handicaps in 1982.
On two separate occasions, Mr. Mondello saddled eight consecutive winners: at Narragansett Park in 1966 and at Fair Grounds in 1968.His wife, Sue Alpers Mondello, who now works as a gap attendant for the New York Racing Association, survives him. A former trainer, her top horse was New York-bred Ormsby.A private ceremony will be held for Mr. Mondello, while plans for a future memorial service are pending.