Mario Lorito Thoroughbred Training
Thoroughbred breaking and training out of Ocala, Florida — more than 30 years on Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfstream Park, and the yearling-to-2YO sale pipeline.
A Career Rooted in
Ocala
Mario's love for horses began in his teen years on a local farm in the horse capital of the world. He started as a groom, learned breaking and training on the job, and built a career around patience and the long game.
He served as an assistant trainer to JJ Pletcher — a chapter that included the breaking and early training of Scat Daddy — and later worked with Wesley Ward before running his own barn.
Breaking Thoroughbred Race Horses
Done right, breaking is the difference between a young horse that gets pushed to the back of a yearling sale and one that returns to auction at many times the price. It's also the difference between a modest pedigree that never amounts to anything and one that places in graded stakes.
Two horses from the barn tell the story.
See the full recordarrow_forwardBought as a yearling for $50K in September 2022. Broken by Mario. Sold as a 2YO in training for $700K — seven months later.
A homebred by a $2,500 stud fee. Mario broke the horse, and Top Official went on to be multiple graded stakes placed.
Career Hallmarks
Breaking & Training Scat Daddy
As assistant to JJ Pletcher, Mario was involved in the breaking and training of Scat Daddy, who went on to become a prominent racehorse and influential stallion.
Gulfstream Park
A regular circuit stop. Florida's flagship winter meet.
Tampa Bay Downs
Where Mario has run numerous horses, year after year.
Assistant Trainer Lineage
Worked under JJ Pletcher (Scat Daddy era) and alongside Wesley Ward before running his own barn — a hands-on apprenticeship in two of the most respected operations in the sport.
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