Game Changers: Meet He’s Not Joking

Once a week, from January to April, Woodbine will profile a horse who had a life-changing impact on one of their closest connections in 2024. This week, owner Joe Di Scola, of Di Scola Boys Stable.

The Di Scola Boys Stable is a family enterprise consisting of John Di Scola and his sons Joe and Mark, who are based in Kleinburg, Nobleton and Woodbridge Ont., respectively, and are also in business together.

Joe led the family into the racing game with the gelding, Chance, who was trained and co-owned by Mike De Paulo. Soon after, John decided to jump in with a more thorough approach and his first horse, Platinum Glory, finished second in the 2015 running of Woodbine’s Grade 2 King Edward Stakes. That victory led to the official partnership with his sons.

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Top horses for the stable over the years include multiple graded stakes placed Dolce Sopresa, multiple stakes placed She’s Got Fire, and She’s a Dream, and stakes placed He’s a Macho Man.

The stable’s racing silks are ‘White, royal blue “D,”, royal blue stars on white sleeves, royal blue cap.’

“Our silks feature a ‘D’ for Di Scola and the three stars on each sleeve are for me, my dad and my brother,” said Joe.

He’s Not Joking (KY) Bio

Foaled: Jan. 31, 2022
Sire: Practical Joke
Dam: Collegeville Girl
Acquired: $105,000 (U.S.) purchase at the 2023 Keeneland Association September Yearling Sale
Starts: 6
Wins-Seconds-Thirds: 2-1-1
Earnings: $121,241 (U.S.)
Notable races: Won the Grade 3 Grey Stakes on Nov. 3, 2024. Broke his maiden in his second start, on Sept. 15, 2024, at Woodbine. Third in last year’s Display Stakes.
Trainer: Josie Carroll
Owner: Di Scola Boys
Breeder: James Wasserson

What prompted the decision to purchase He’s Not Joking?

“We liked his physical presence. We weren’t at the sale, but we did a lot of homework and liked his video and his pedigree. We felt very strongly that he could be a very nice horse based on everything. You always hope they will be a special horse, but you never know.”

“When we first saw him in person, we were even more impressed. He certainly looked the part and he had a great personality to go along with those looks.”

John Di Scola, Gail Wood and Joe Di Scola.

What do you recall from his maiden win?

“In his first race (second, by a nose, at six furlongs on the Woodbine main track), he was leading the whole way and ended up losing by a neck to a horse who had finished second three times in a row before that win. We were all very happy with the grit our horse showed and how he fought the whole way to the wire. It gave us a lot of confidence heading into his next race.”

“He was a little green in that first race, but he was very professional. Josie (trainer, Carroll) liked the horse from day one and trained extremely well leading up to his first and second races. To watch that first win – we could tell he was special.”

What do you remember the most from the Grey Stakes win?

“Winning the Grey was the best moment I have had since I started owning horses in 2011. Everyone was excited and almost speechless. Those are the moments you dream of and hope for, and when it comes true, it is even better than you could imagine.”

“I have probably watched that race 25 times. The way he did it… he beat a very good group.”

What was it like to race in the (Grade 2) Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill this past November?

“It was a great experience. Unfortunately, the race didn’t go as we had hoped, but the minute we got there, it was an amazing time. We were introduced to so many people and to be from Canada, and everyone knows your horse – that was unbelievable.”

What three words best describe He’s Not Joking?

“Tough. Determined. Tenacious.”

Which athlete does he remind you of and why?

“I would go with (19-year-old NHL forward) Connor Bedard, since they both showed early talent.”

How has He’s Not Joking changed your life?

“He means everything to us, as do all our horses. He’s Not Joking gave us our first stakes winner and it was something that extended beyond my dad, my brother and myself. We are a big family, and everyone was able to celebrate the night he won the stakes race. That is one of the beautiful things about horse racing, that a horse can provide so many people with happiness and joy.”