Wanda Polisseni has enjoyed great success as a thoroughbred owner, winning more than 900 races with horses running under the name My Purple Haze Stables.
But Polisseni is more proud of his success with horses off the track. Her dedication to Thoroughbred and Standardbred aftercare programs, through the establishment of adoption and retraining centers as well as her philanthropic efforts, has brought about positive change to big for this sport.
That dedication to horses, as well as her resume as a horse owner, has earned her a well-deserved spot in the Hall of Fame at Finger Lakes Tracks & Games. She will become the 30th member (and sixth contributor) enshrined in the Hall. The induction ceremony, part of the annual Finger Lakes HBPA dinner, will take place on June 6 at the Lincoln Hill Farms event center in Canandaigua, NY
Polisseni was a founding supporter of the Finger Lakes Purebred Adoption Program. The Purple Haze Center is the nation’s first thoroughbred aftercare program located at a racetrack, and since opening in 2007, more than 700 horses have found new homes and careers.
Chris Englehart, who was the head trainer of Polisseni-owned thoroughbreds that raced in the Finger Lakes and throughout the northeast.
She is equally dedicated to her riders and horse trainers.
“Wanda means everything to me and my family,” Englehart said. “She was an amazing woman to work with because of her passion for horses, which truly changed my life.”
Polisseni’s unwavering devotion to horses dates back to her childhood. She grew up on a farm in Yates County, where her family was Standardbreds.
“I have loved horses and riding since I was a little girl,” she said. “My greatest wish is that no horse should ever face the risk of being slaughtered and I hope with all our efforts we can achieve this.”
When the Purple Haze Center opened, Polisseni said winning races is always great, but seeing her horses come back healthy and happy means even more.
The same goes for taking care of those who have been good to her. That includes her primary rider at the Finger Lakes, John Davila, who is inducted into the Finger Lakes Hall of Fame in 2023.
“She was like family to me,” Davila said. “I have never seen a person as kind and generous as Wanda Polisseni. She bought and brought horses to the Finger Lakes just for me to ride. She once told trainer Chris Englehart to ask for a horse at Saratoga for me to ride. can ride it there during the meeting.”
Among her top horses: Mom’s Law, a three-time stakes winner at Finger Lakers; Heir; and grade 3 stakes winner Cool Arrow.
Since retiring from Paychex, a Fortune 1000 company founded by Tom Golisano with the help of her late husband, Gene, Wanda Polisseni has entrenched herself in both Thoroughbred and Standardbred horse racing. as owner for over two decades. She also continued her tireless philanthropic work and served on several boards, including Rochester General Hospital, Thompson Medical Foundation, New York State Military Foundation, St. John Fisher, Polisseni Foundation, Finger Lakes HBPA, as well as the FLTAP Foundation.
“Wanda Polisseni has been a wonderful mentor to me and the Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program,” said Kim DeLong, president of the organization. “Without her guidance in fundraising ideas and events, this program would not be as successful as it is. Her care for the horses, both thoroughbreds and standardbreds, is also like aftercare is this woman’s true heart.”
Those interested in attending the event can purchase tickets at the Finger Lakes HBPA office through June 4. The cost is $10.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
