Mike Lachance does not hibernate, it only seems that way. For the second consecutive year, Lachance spent the majority of the winter and early spring away from the racetrack
. In 2008, he did not return until May; this time, he has been working a limited schedule for the past month.
With his return comes the realization he will soon post career win No. 10,000. Entering Monday, the 58-year-old Quebec native needed three victories to become the eighth harness racing driver to reach the plateau. Reaching such heights is not a priority for the man who has won more money in the sport than anyone not named John Campbell.
"If I was worried about that, I'd have taken care of it a long time ago," Lachance said with a smile Sunday between races at Harrah's Chester, near Philadelphia, where he has done most of his driving so far this season. "Now that I'm there, I'd like to do it and get it. But 10,000 is just a number to me. What matters is that along the way just about every (race) was special in some way."
Lachance, who got his first win in 1968, led North America in victories from 1984 through 1987, including a then-record 770 triumphs in 1986. Lachance and Herve Filion are the only people to win Harness Tracks of America's Driver of the Year Award at least three years in a row.
From there, Lachance began focusing on stakes racing and big-money purses. From 1985 through 2001, only once did Lachance finish outside the top three in seasonal purse earnings and he led North America in 1996 and 1997. In his career, his horses have won more than $178 million.
"Great races, special events, those mean a lot to me," said Lachance, who won this year's Su Mac Lad Series with Lanson. "For the last 15 or 20 years of my life, that's all I've been chasing. Earlier, I wanted to win a lot of races in one year. After that, I was chasing the stakes races. I got very fortunate there, too."
The chase often involves trainer Ron Gurfein, with whom Lachance has teamed to win the Hambletonian three times in addition to winning 40 races worth $100,000 or more over the past 15 years.
"We've been very successful," Lachance said. "He's been great to me and I've been good to him. You don't see that anymore, a driver and trainer together for that long. John Campbell with Chuck Sylvester, but you don't see too many other ones."
Two winters ago, Lachance spent much of his time traveling. Last winter, he spent more time helping his son, Patrick Lachance, with his stable.
"Vacationing when it's new is OK, but I like this year better," Lachance said. "I'm starting in much better shape this year. I was in good shape last year because I kept going to the gym, but this year I'm fit to go behind the gate better than I was last year."
The time off appeared to benefit Lachance in 2008; his driver rating of .227 was his best since 2000.
"I didn't want to catch drive in the winter," Lachance said. "For me, at this stage in my life, there's nothing to gain. You get to the spring and you're tired and depressed. I like to do exactly what I'm doing now. I'm going to take it as it comes."
(Harness Racing Communications)