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NYRA mourns the loss of former racing official Michael F. Prunetti

by Jim Reisler

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) mourns the loss of Michael F. Prunetti, who served with distinction as its Assistant Racing Secretary and spent upwards of 40 years in a variety of roles as a racing official at New York thoroughbred tracks.

Mr. Prunetti, remembered as much for his kindness as his knowledge of horse racing and love for the game, passed away Friday at 77. He was a resident of Boca Raton, Florida.

“What a kind gentleman he was,” recalled NYRA Stakes Coordinator Andrew Byrnes, who credited Prunetti with teaching him the foundations of racing. “Mike took the time to teach me how to do things the right way. I learned a tremendous amount under him. He was one of the best. He was a jewel.”

Longtime NYRA announcer John Imbriale agreed, calling Prunetti, “as conscientious as any employee I’ve ever worked with, a man always willing to help with a calm and easygoing way.”

Prunetti was a native of Trenton, N.J. and joined NYRA as an entry clerk in 1971. He later worked as a claims clerk, placing judge, timer and backup assistant racing secretary prior to his appointment as assistant racing secretary in 1987.

At the track, trainers gave Prunetti the affectionate nickname, “Little Mikey,” for maintaining his youthful looks well into middle age, remembered retired National Steeplechase Association General Manager Peter McGivney.

“When he was 50, Mike looked 30,” said McGivney, a fellow NYRA racing official with Prunetti in the late 1970s and 80s. “Mike was also a genuinely nice guy, loved the game and loved people. Everybody thought the world of him.”

Before joining NYRA, Prunetti served four years in the U.S. Air Force and worked at Claiborne Farm and The Jockey Club. After stepping down from NYRA, he worked in the post-race testing barn for the New York State Gaming Commission. Retired to Florida, he volunteered at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and Boca Raton Regional Hospital.