Morning Sentinel
Erskine graduate excels at harness racing in New York
BY GARY HAWKINS
Staff Writer Kennebec Journal & Morning Sentinel 04/17/2008

BY GARY HAWKINS

Staff Writer

Dick Bartlett admits he didn't want to see his 26-year-old grandson Jason leave Maine in pursuit of his harness racing dream.

"I'm getting old and I wanted him to stick with me," said Bartlett, who trains a stable of 30 horses in Windsor. "He made the decision on his own."

After developing a reputation as one of the top drivers in Maine and New England, Jason decided last November to test his skills against better drivers for bigger purses at Yonkers Raceway in Yonkers, N.Y. So far, the experiment has exceeded expectations.

"I thought he might be successful but not this quick," his grandfather said. "I didn't think he'd be the leading driver at Yonkers."

Last week, Bartlett recorded his 2,000th career victory, celebrating it much like a young baseball player would his 1,000th hit.

"Every milestone's a thrill," he said. "I just take it as it comes."

The victory was one of 135 as of Wednesday that Bartlett has recorded this season. Last year, he won 458 races and a career-high $1.3 million in purses, a total he's nearly equaled in less than four months with more than $1.1 million in winnings.

Bartlett planned to come home this month, but now has decided to stay in Yonkers and race year round, although he's reserving a week to race at Windsor Fair.

"It's long winters up (in Maine) not doing anything," he said.

Bartlett is a so-called "catch driver," meaning he catches a horse with any trainer or owner who likes his chances to win. So far, he's had no problems.

"We're willing to give somebody new a chance as long as they listen," said Linda Toscano, one of the top trainers at Yonkers. "So far he's done exactly what I've asked him to do."

Toscano already places Bartlett among the top two or three drivers at Yonkers, along with perennial track champion Stephane Bouchard, who Bartlett is tied with for wins after Tuesday night's races.

"He's very good with a horse, and he's got a live set of hands," Toscano said of Bartlett. "He's not cocky ... and he's got a very engaging personality."

Bartlett and Scott Blackler of Waldoboro brought 10 horses with them to Yonkers, making it easier to catch a ride when there are none available.

"A lot of catch drivers don't have a barn," Bartlett said.

The rewards are great. In addition to doing what he loves most, Bartlett is making good money. Drivers get five percent of the purses they win plus tips now and then from grateful owners.

"I'm making a living," Bartlett said. "But it's also more expensive to live (here)."

There are drawbacks, too. Bartlett's wife and soon-to-be 2-year-old son live in Windsor and he drives up each Tuesday night after finishing his race card around 11:30.

"I get home around 5:30 in the morning and go back Thursday morning," he said. "I made a promise to my wife I'd come home every week."

The pace is grueling. In addition to driving an average of 10 races a night at Yonkers, Bartlett travels to Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania every Friday and Saturday to race afternoon cards, then returns to Yonkers to race each of those nights. He's also picked up races at the Meadowlands and Saratoga.

"It's two hours and fifteen minutes between tracks," said Bartlett, who noted he's logged more than 6,000 miles on the Chevy Silverado he bought a month ago.

He's considering a permanent move to Yonkers and is looking for a house. Although he grandfather misses him, he talks to Jason nearly every night and watches most of his races on his satellite dish. Dick Bartlett also watched his grandson when he starred in basketball at Erskine Academy and later at Southern Maine Technical College where he led the nation in scoring.

"He's the type that doesn't get intimidated by anybody," Dick said. "When he played basketball he didn't. He's the same way driving horses."

One bonus of having Jason in Yonkers is when his grandfather gets a horse good enough to race out of state, he can send it to Yonkers. If his career progresses accordingly, his grandson may someday be racing with the very best at the Meadowlands.

"If he keeps his work ethic, I think the sky's the limit for him," Toscano said.

Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638

ghawkins@centralmaine.com

Bookmark and share this story: digg del.icio.us Reddit


Reader comments

Click here to view or add reader comments