CATSKILL, NY — A prominent thoroughbred-horse breeder who was banned from racing after 177 malnourished horses were seized in a raid of his upstate farm has gone on trial.

Ernie Paragallo’s non-jury trial began yesterday in Greene County Court, 20 miles south of Albany.

The Long Island resident was charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty after state police and animal-welfare investigators raided his Center Brook Farm last April.

He was the owner of 1996 Kentucky Derby favorite and fifth-place finisher Unbridled’s Song.