Going a mile is nothing new for Eric Carlson. While in high school, Carlson was a standout track athlete and he later competed two years at the University of Michigan

. Now, though, Carlson makes his mile trips in a different way – sitting behind a horse.

Carlson, a 34-year-old from Ypsilanti, Michigan, last year enjoyed a breakout campaign as a harness racing driver. He won 361 races – good for 34th place among all drivers in North America – and earned $1 million in purses. Prior to 2009, Carlson had won 289 times in 11 years.

This season, Carlson sits fifth among all drivers, with 39 victories.

“I just want to pay my dues,” Carlson said. “Hopefully, people will think I’m talented enough. Last year, I got hooked up with some stables that had some power. You know how it goes; you win a few races and it snowballs. It’s been really good. I’m just thankful I have a chance to drive for these people that I drive for.”

Carlson was introduced to harness racing by his father, Robert, a schoolteacher who trained a couple horses each year as a hobby. After graduating from Michigan in 1999 with a degree in sports business management, Carlson worked several years for an auto supplier before deciding it was time to get into racing on a full-time basis.

“I always had horses,” said Carlson, who has 158 wins as a trainer in addition to driving. “I saved money from working and slowly gravitated more and more toward racing. It’s been kind of a slow start. It’s taken me a while to build a name for myself. But it’s taken off the last few years.”

Last year, Carlson won the driving title at Raceway Park and the fall meet crown at Northville Downs. He missed the title at Hazel Park by the slimmest of margins as Brad Kramer won the meet’s final race to claim a 94-93 edge over Carlson. Kramer, also a Michigan native, has won 6,515 races in his career.

“I didn’t even know how close we were; it never crossed my mind,” Carlson said. “Then a few days before the meet closed they started to hype it and I started to take notice. It was exciting. Brad Kramer is established and has won thousands of races. To almost beat him for the driving title, it was an important moment for me.”

Carlson’s lengthy journey to become established helps him to be grateful for success.

“It’s a privilege to drive for these people,” Carlson said. “They could choose anybody, but they request me, and I try hard for them. I appreciate what I have.”

This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S.
Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.