The owner pays the bills, the owner calls the tune, nuff said!!

I think it has more to do with what has gone on over the last couple of months. kouvo first start randy has him on the front. Randy use to drive all fletches stock. loyalty to the chatch driver gets you
no where sure you like them but when u really need them they pick off yes there choice. pat
fletcher likes loyallty back. the mare is awsome and so is the fletcher barn. Everyone for
themselves Jody seemes to be a little sharper right now. Thats businesse there business
go get them team fletcher

Just an observation from victoria b.c.On may 21th, Randy failed to qualify the much talked about "Dreamfair Kovu" (owned by Mr.Lamers)for the upper canada cup (500.000)and has been off that ride since.The committment to tioga having already been made?
justsayin

You know if a person was going to produce and write a behind the scenes horse racing show and wanted a real good topic, you would have to pick a few individuals to play the role and be part of what could be a real hoax to the public. We should all wait till you see the mare in the box for the next start.

As a racing enthusiast for more years than I'd like to let on, I don't pretend to know what it feels like to own the horse of the year, nor how heavy the burden must be to make decisions about her while the rest of the racing world waits in the wings to weigh in and give their unsolicited opinions.

Like many have said, the owner has the ultimate say in deciding the fate of their horse and only time will tell if Mr. Lamers has made the right choice. Randy has enjoyed outstanding results with Dreamfair Eternal, ones he admits any driver could have achieved because she is that good. Unfortunately, I imagine that when one has to make decisions about a horse of this caliber, it's not about how good things are when you are shaking hands in the winner’s circle, but it becomes more about the missed opportunities in getting there.

Although it is nice to reflect on the past and say how well things went with Randy in the driver's seat, you cannot move forward if you spend the majority of your time looking back. The harsh reality in the horse business is that it isn’t what you have done in the past that counts, it’s what you have done lately that seems to matter most. What I find interesting is that it seems the sore spot for most is less about Waples is not steering Dreamfair Eternal to her next inevitable win, but moreover, the way in which Randy was notified. Granted more tact could have been exercised and a more personable approach warranted, but the end result remains the same and if Randy doesn’t harbor any animosity toward Mr. Lamers, than neither should we.

Lastly, if we are all being honest, we should realize that a text message is comparable to the posts that we are all submitting on this site; so as we sit at our computers inside our glass houses, it would behoove us to remember not to throw stones.

Cal Aimes

With great horses like Dreamfair Eternal,it doesn't matter who is training or driving,they want to win and odds are they will win sometimes in spite of the people around them. Look at the career of Somebeachsomewhere for example.

@Joe Riga.......You said "the only one I know that performs miracles is the Almighty. By, the Almighty did you mean Jody?

C.Renon Mr. Waples is a class act and Mr. Lamers maybe she is telling you something and your only looking at the $$$ signs, how much money did she and Randy make you? How much did Peaceful Way improve when they replaced Trevor Ritchie?

I am an avid fan and bettor and throughout my years as a horseplayer something I have noticed is driver changes do help. And jody will be a great fit as well as Randy was. There is something missing here though in this post,I have found over the years a horse usually becomes stale so to say after being with the same trainer for a long period of time! So I do believe a change in trainers could perk her up as well. Just my thoughts. Go Dreamfair!

Randy got a raw deal, getting removed as the driver of the mare, Dreamfair Eternal .
Those two have produced a great body of work together, and to see it brought to a halt
by a tempermental owner, borders on the ridiculous .

The mare barely won her previous start vs a modest group of locals .
Then to ship out to a smaller track, and draw that very tricky 10 post, where you have
to trail another horse, and face an all-star field with top drivers, is one very large
order . As many others have stated, Randy did well to get 4th .

That post position 10 on the smaller tracks, is either feast or famine .
In my betting experiences, it is a disappointing failure more than 7 out of 10 times .
Without the horse having his nose on that gate, I believe many of them are not ready
for the start, and are caught flat-footed and just loping along .

I see Dreamfair Eternal as more of a grinder, and not well suited from a trailing
post in the second tier . So, even though the owner has the right to change the driver
at any time, he was dead wrong and unrealistic to base a change on the outcome of that race .

I find it really laughable how many comments were made about how many lengths Randy had the horse behind the 1 horse at the start of the race and thereby cost her a good chunk of money since they were going for $150 grand therefore he should be replaced. Allow me to reflect on a different perspective. How many lenghts IN FRONT did Randy have the horse AT THE FINISH of most races he drove her in also for big money whereby her connections pocketed a huge amount of money???? I think the record tips largely in Randy's favour on that argument.
Even legends like John Campbell and Mike Lachance have lost races on very good horses.Especially when the horses weren't at their best. Last time I checked only The Almighty is capable of miracles.
I guess you're expected to be perfect and win every single time even the horse clearly didn't have it in her.

Mr. Lamers,

Contrary to your assumption I did indeed call Randy Waples last night ( June 15th ) regarding his dismissal as your driver for Dreamfair Eternal. Permit me to say that I've known Randy since he was eight or nine years old and have watched him develop into one of the finest ( if not the finest )harness horse drivers in the world. He has faced his demons, dealt with them and put them to rest. Good for Randy and bravo. Randy had more, much more pressure than most being the son of a legend and bearing one of the most famous family names in harness racing....WAPLES !

I called Randy to congratulate him regarding his comments following your bizarre removal of Randy as your driver .I told him his comments demonstrated professionalism, maturity and substance.

Mr. Lamers, you are correct in saying as the owner it is your decision who will drive your horse. I agree with that. You pay the bills so it is your perogative. Where I disagree and where I think most people disagree was your method of dismissal. Randy deserved better....indeed the horse racing industry deserved better than to deal with another unfortunate situation that could have been easily avoided had a delicate matter been handled differently. We are not talking about replacing a less than ordinary driver ( like me ) on a cheap claimer . At issue was replacing a superstar driver ( Randy Waples ) on one of the world's best pacing mares. The harness horse fraternity is keenly aware of Dreamfair Eternal's scintillating career ( she has a huge following) and much of her success can be attributed to Randy's dramatic drives.

For your information during Randy and I's conversation last night he was clearly thankful for having had the opportunity to drive your superb mare and did say you and he had a candid conversation about the driver change when HE called you ! Needless to say I could detect a quiver in his voice because he was obviously upset but Randy never slighted you or your trainer. As a matter of fact he was very generous when speaking about Dreamfair Eternal and her connections.

One final observation ......why would you expect Randy Waples call you to "share his thoughts ". As you said in your comments you and Randy have spoken so he has already shared his thoughts with you !

Hector Clouthier

Mr.Lamers,
It's my observation that most comments posted to almost any article of this website come from people who have been around horseracing in some capacity or other for a very long time. Most comments, though very opinionated, are thoughtful, articulate, and respectful. To say that most people who commented on this article come from people who don't understand that horseracing is a business and not a hobby is totally wrong. Everyone who posted a comment knows full well that horse racing is a business and I am sure not one person who commented would dispute your right to make your decisions as you see fit. That is entirely your right whether we agree with you or not.

As for Mr. Danko's comment, well sir we have all been around long enough to know that a catch driver is just as good as his last drive and they don't actually get fired. The REAL discussion that was being had was whether or not Randy's drive was bad enough to warrant him "losing" the regular drive on a horse he has been driving regularly for the last while. That was the real discussion. Not whether he was fired" which is simply splitting hairs. Nor was it about Mr. Lamers right to make the change. We all know he has that right.

I do agree with Mr. Lamers that perhaps a change made sometimes for the sake of change can be a good thing. Time (or the horse) will tell.

The beauty about this website is that we fans, trainers,drivers,owners,etc etc can give our views on a wide range of topics from drivers changes, to drugs to the state of the sport etc. It is a great forum for doing that and in a sense it actually can help to strengthen the industry by bringing fans and those directly involved in the sport. I for one really enjoy when a driver or trainer or owner responds to one of my comments. If nothing else it at least makes me feel that my opinion, whether agreeable or not has been heard. The important thing to remember is that we all come from different corners of the sport and because of that our opinions may often differ. My opinion as a fan will differ from my opinion as a bettor which will differ from a drivers or trainers opinion.

As long as we are all respectful of each others opinions this form can be a powerful tool in strengthening the sport because for a sport to remain strong it needs input from the participants, the regulators and most importantly the fans and in horse racing, even more importantly the bettors.

Randy and I have had conversations about my move to change drivers,this is a business not just a hobby (which obviously the majority of people don't understand). Sometimes in business you have to make painful choices and you will hurt feelings and egos and god only knows that drivers have, which is a good thing. A driver has to feel that he is the best otherwise he couldn't be a good driver.

Randy and I will always be the best of friends,we have had a lot of success through the years and we will continue to do so in the future, Randy and I spoke about the up coming stake season and he said to me, this is the time of year Randy Waples needs to make money, this is my time of the year and I'm going with the horse that I think can win and my reply was that I'm going with the driver I think will do the best for me, last year is history, we race for today and Randy fully understands that.

I will probably use many different drivers on my horses. Just like whenever I enter a horse and a driver is listed on my horse and 2 others on the same race he's going to choose the one he thinks will do,I'm not saying Randy can't - all I'm saying is a change is sometimes best(only time will tell).

So in finishing, call Randy - talk to him,(no I don't think anyone will, you just hide behind your comments or emails ) but I have nothing to say to anyone of you, just remember one thing don't lose sight of this, this is a business and you people had better come to grips with it.

I remain John Lamers

PS Randy give me a call with your thoughts

Chances are this firing was not over this drive, only, cause if you had capped the race, there really wasn't much RW was going to do from the 2nd tier spot. Like someone else noted, all the speed was on the outside and DE's game most of her career has been her vicious late kick. Text message firing?? Are you kidding me? Can't wait to see who RW drives in the next big mare stakes race in Canada!

WOW...I can only hope that some of the lesser likes start getting a bigger share of the purse money from now on in every race that Dreamfair Eternal is part of! If Mr. Lamer's memories are that short-sighted, then it is time for him to start having the same racing luck most others in this business have, "lose more than you win". As far as Randy goes, his humble stance on this is typical of him BUT at the end of the day, Mr. Lamers would not have near the success and money he has enjoyed with this mare without the fine services of Randy...

Danny Maue

NB - My view on this has "No" disrespect for the new driver, obviously he is well accomplished.

Not only was he not close to the 1 horse when the gate opened up,he created a opening on the rail for another horse before the first turn.If i had bet this horse i would have been unhappy.Kudos to the owners for firing him.

I would love to hear what Waples strategy was for the race!

we all see the details of our game so differently.

* No "catch driver" ever got "fired" because there is no relationship between a catch driver and a horse/trainer/owner other that what is printed in the program. Every horse in every race will get assigned the best driver available for that race. It changes and that's why we call it "catch" driving.

* Being "a class act" hasn't come easy for Randy - he works hard at it and does a great job and deserves full credit for his efforts and leadership

* Trainers/Owners sharing their thoughts/decisions about an upcoming race with a driver is "classy" and text messaging has become more popular that phone calls these days. People cannot slam Lamers/Fletcher for communicating with the latest technology. And when Randy wanted more details - he asked and they spoke - perfect.

* Randy says (being classy) that anybody can drive the mare meaning her ability is enough to overcome any drive. Clearly that has not been the case recently.

* Randy is one of the best without question but there are other good drivers too. What is the big deal.

I guess Randy now knows how Tony Kerwood felt? Also,.....it may be in the best interest of the horse to have a more aggressive driver aboard when she races over the more speed favoring half miler.(Flamboro Downs)

Well thats alright Randall you can drive Rub N Tug now.
David Charles Brown

The owner is making a big mistake. Dreamfair Eternal, raced like a defending champion, and was driven like a defending champion that only had a few starts. Any knowledgable, horseman, announcer, reporter, bettor, would have been very impressed by the mare's performance. Randy, in a no-win situation with the ten hole, managed the mare like the professional that he is. Mr Lamers, the best mare didn't win that day, post ten and excess cover cost her the race. I submit my poll question to SC right now. Was it the drive, or post ten, that caused Dreamfair Eternal not to finish first?

Randy Waples is an excellent driver, he was never better, in my opinion than when he was driving at Flamboro Downs and Mohawk/Woodbine Racetracks, both on vitually every card they had. This was roughly five or six years ago, if I recall correctly, maybe eight. I don't think there is any question that Randy deserves to drive this horse, but ultimately the owner has the final call. Randy handled this situation in a mature and classy manner. Just like in other sports, if things don't go the way the owner wants, right or wrong, they make business decisions, and unfortunately sometimes those decisions aren't always correct. Anyway, go get' em Randy, don't take this too personally, if anything use it as a positive motivation.

Owners pay the bills and they have the right to make the changes they want. It's a business. Randy showed great sportsmanship with his reply and well wishes. Good for him. To be fired by text message is so unprofessional and tacky. Glad he took the high road, I'd say Randy was the only professional in that little soap opera.

In response to Mr Barnsdales comment here is my humble observation of the race. It makes no difference that shes was fifth over or third over. The fact remains she barely passed the horse whos's cover she followed. That to me is an obvious indicator that the horse just simply didn't have much to offer in the stretch. They went 3/4 in 1:22 and she barely pased her cover. She was empty and flat and no-one who saw her first few races this year should be surprised. I will not crticize Mr. Lamers. How he chooses to run his business is his choice and his right. I do think he couldve communicayed his decision to Randy in a more respectful manner however and as a casual observer who knows neither Randy nor the connections of the horse I simply don't think the way Randy drove her would be reason to fire him. As I said in an earlier post I think Randy did a great job with the horse, as did Tony Kerwoodand as I'm sure Jody will do......provided the horse still has it in her. Because at the end of the day, it's the horse that does the running.

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I'm not really surprised by this. The mare was not even remotely close to the 1 horse when the gate opened, and I imagine getting away NINTH from the trailing spot wasn't in the pre-race plans. Fifth-over wasn't gonna get it done in that field for sure. Based on where she was when the wings of the gate folded open, she had NO chance to win that race. Firing via text message on the other hand is rude.

CLASS ACT RANDY. Gotta love owners like that. Great for the industry. I guess you have to win every week. And also gotta love being let go by a text message. yet anothjer show of class. They're loss will be your gain Randy

Wow is right i cant believe the nerve of some people. Whats next is he going to change trainers as well sometimes a race is just not set up to win and you have to just drive for the best cheque possible and that is what randy did a great job of and save the horse for the next start when your in a position to win and hopefully for better money .

Mare raced flat - likes she hadn't been trained in a couple of weeks.
Passive owners are hard to find. Always thinking it is their solid decision making that contributes heavily to a horses' success. Ya... Dreamfair Eternal has had to rely, throughout her illustrious career, on the wise decisions of her managers. She could race herself if she had opposable thumbs. I digress - You've got to be doing something right to get a horse like that.

If Mr. Lamers and his trainer need to blame the driver for the lack of wins in their World Champions first few starts back, then maybe its just time for them to give their heads a shake.
Maybe they should start driving themselves. Backstretch driving is really easy.
Fire a driver with a text message. A Real Class Act Gentlemen

Randy gave her the best drive possible the way the race unfolded. Randy's the best!

"I got a text from [trainer Pat Fletcher] on Monday that [the mare's breeder and owner, John Lamers] wasn't happy with the way the trip worked out at Tioga and that they were going to make a driver change," Waples told Trot Insider"

I don't understand what John Lamers wasn't happy about. If I was an owner I would've been ecstatic that my horse finished 4th. Dreamfair Eternal and Randy was in a no win situation. I would love Trot Insider to speak to Mr. Lamers about this. "wasn't happy with the way the trip worked out at Tioga??? What did he expect? WOW!!

Randy's comments demonstrate modesty and class. Good for him.

I thought that Tony did a great job with this horse when he drove him and i thought it was ridiculous when he got bumped for Randy. Now Randy who did a great job now gets the boot, equally ridiculous. I have cheered this horse on for 2 or 3 years now as i like to see the weg horses get the money when they race there US competition but i will cheer her on no more. Nothing against Jody but some connections make it easy to cheer for or against the horses they send out.

BOTH Randy Waples and Tony Kerwood showed a lot of class in how they responded to losing the drive on this horse. I happen to think Tony Kerwood is just as good a driver as any and I was disappointed when he lost the drive on the mare. Nothing against Randy, but what did Tony do wrong. He has a great recors with this horse and I felt thaty the change to Randy was totally unwarranted. Then in a very classy move Tony went down to the US, I believe it was Tioga in the same race as Randy just drove in, and he wnet on a moments notice to drive the horse because Randy had a problem with some papers. And what did Tony do. He only just won the race. Yes I realize he had a financial interest in going but it eas still a classy move. Now, after putting together what in most owners eeyes should be a superb record Randy gets tossed from the horse. I used to own a horse and I wouldve loved for Randy to drive mine. It is unfair to say that Randy isn't getting enough out of the horse. If he was able to get her to win before it stands to reason he would be able to do it again, IF THE HORSE HAS IT IN HER. It should be clear to anyone who has follwed DE carreer that at this point in time she is not the same horse she was. Either she has lost a step or she is just not right. Either way when that is the case how can anyone blame the driver?

I also agree that to let Randy know via text message is not a great way to do it. I realize that texting is seen to be the norm these days but where I come from the respectful way to do it is face to face.

yes waples drove the mare great! Must be more issues involved. Mr. Lamers is a smart individual and a big time family man, im sure he has thought hard about his decision.

Randy Waples is a class act! Both John and the Fletcher camp know That! Eternal is a Great mare! Being close to her the last 3 years is a once in a lifetime experience for a new owner as myself. Eternal will bounce back! She loves to race! Good Luck in The Ellamony

Wow......that's the only "word" i can utter. As already posted, Tony Kerwood got the hook, now the reigning "top driver in Canada" gets the hook. WOW. You've shown more class then ever on this one.

Think it pretty tasteless to fire someone via a text!!!
have the guts to talk to the person face to face

can't wait to watch you race again Randy -- it's always a pleasure to watch

Marie Stoyles-Moura

I agree class act Randy!
This is the type of society we live in these days... and so it goes for harness racing as well... it's always comes down to the $$$sssss made and everthing else is ejectable!...

Getting fired by text, after all those wins! No class.

I handicapped the race and there was no way the inside was going to get away fast enough; Randy drove him the way he had to. What do you expect when you are behind other horses in a race with decent horses? Besides, Dreamfair has not exactly shown she is the same horse as in the past in her first three starts.

I suspect we may see Randy back on the horse.

Congratulations on the way you are handling this incident. You show tremendous maturity in this pitiful situation.Better things will surely come your way. God be with you and keep you strong..Dr. Joe

Sorry to hear this Randy, Yes,it does sting , when you do the very best you can , and get tossed. But , chin up :o) , you can sleep well knowing that you did the best you could , and obviously that was an outstanding job indeed.
Ann,

Dave-Wyndym Farm

Gee - is this kick the classy driver week....?
First Paul McD and now Randy W.
Both are humble and professional- and Randy you did more than an "adequate job".

Shame... Hard to argue with his success with this mare (or most of his drives!). I realize that the owner pays the bills and can do what he wants without answering to the public, but this one seems a little strange, there must be more to it. If not, then certainly not the classiest way to handle it. However, not the first and will not be the last.

I am deeply disappointed that Randy Waples got "sacked" on this mare. But what is Mr. Lamers thinking.... after all Randy only made him nothing but money with this mare. Some were easy drives.... some were strategic drives where it took all of Randy's skill and expertise to get her home first.

Wow the business of horse racing i think randy has done a great job with this mare and like randy said she will make any driver look good.Some owners expectations are beyond comprehension but bottom line is they have the final decision. Great job randy and their will be another dreamfair eternal.

After watching her this year she has lost a step in my eyes anyhow and won't be the mare she has been the past few years, but still a "bushleague" move by the owner setting him down.

How much money does a horse have to make with a driver? First Kerwood and now Waples who both went out of town to drive her and made boatloads of money for the owner, but I guess it wasn't good enough.

Don't lose any sleep Randy, you still have the best trotter as a regular drive and there are many more good ones on the way.

Gary Blackburn

I completely agree. Randy should be congratulated for finishing fourth. No other driver could have gotten better on that day! Great drive Randy.

There probably is more to it. Trot should also talk to the Dreamfair Eternal Camp.

Randy is always such a class act!

This happened to Kerwood too when he was driving her.Randy is right she is a great race mare.Randy drove this mare great and I will miss watching him drive her.

$32,000 per start on average and a winning percentage of 68%...tough to beat that.

Wow, I don't see what more Randy could have done , I thought he did well to finish fourth.There must be other issues involved I would think.