Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

Horstradamus — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:51:16 GMT

Bill,

You were a pleasure to watch as an athlete. Always prepared, and never an excuse. I think the game would lose a great guy if you were not a part of a great sport.

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

Dreamer's Mom — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 01:45:49 GMT

I am not familiar with Mr. Troilo, but it sure sounds like our riders could take a few lessons in class from him! Safe trip to you.

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

Alfred Nuckols, Jr. — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:45:40 GMT

It's a little strange, but originally Bill Troilo was supposed to ride my nice filly, Kiss With a Twist, in her first start. However, he had a conflict and didn't pick up the mount. Bill followed her career and always politely said that if the opportunity arose, he would love to ride her. The opportunity came up two years later on March 7, 2009, when Bill asked for and was given the mount on Kiss With a Twist in the Wintergreen Stakes. He performed like the true journeyman that he was by following directions and winning the race with a ride that was truly professional. Bill remarked after the race that it was worth the two years it had taken to finally get the mount. So, thank you Bill for your wonderful ride to the winner's circle on Kissee and it has been a pleasure to know you over the past several years at the track!

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

DONNA — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:31:25 GMT

I am saddened to hear of Billy's retirement. I was wondering why he was only in 2 or 3 races on most of Turfways cards. My roomate Shawn and I had the pleasure of meeting Billy and his wife Mary on a sunset cruise in Cabo San Lucas in April of 2003. They were such nice down to earth people to talk to who really cared about the horses and the racing industry. Yes Billy was the type of guy to definitely speak his mind. I really enjoyed talking to him about the horses. After the cruise they invited us to go to a restaurant across the street for fish tacos, unforunately we had a bus to catch back to our hotel that was about 15 miles away and declined. My roomate kept in contact with Mary thru emails for about a year. She would inform us of how they were doing and when Billy would be racing. I always lookind for Billys name in the programs and would bet on him and his horse if I was going to an OTB.

Billy or Mary if both or either one of you reads this article I want to say HI and good luck to you. It was such such a pleasure meeting both of you on that sunset cruise.

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

Gogel1 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:12:05 GMT

Not only would he give you a good ride, but could depend on him to give you the information that you need. A true horseman as a jockey you dont find that to often.

re: Straight Shooter - by Tom LaMarra

Vespone — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:58:24 GMT

I am really going to miss Billy Troilo. You could always depend on him to give you a good ride. And, when he picked up a live mount at Churchill or Keeneland, you could get a decent price as others went for the bigger names.

Thanks for everything Billy and good luck with whatever you choose to do.