Most people don’t know that they have harness racing in Bermuda. Standardbred ponies are raced there, and the sport is very popular.

The ponies are Standardbreds in bloodlines, only bred smaller than the horses that race in North America.

Bermuda’s leading driver, 21-year-old Kiwon Waldron (turns 22 on May 18), has made a big move in his career, leaving his home island to begin his professional career as a driver at Hippodrome 3R.

This is not the first time that Waldron has left Bermuda to compete in Canada and in the United States.

He has been to Indiana to drive in the National Standardbred (pony) Championships. He has been to Pompano Park in Florida for qualifying races and in the summer of 2019, he was in Quebec.

Waldron was “discovered” by trainer Rene Allard while Allard was vacationing in Bermuda. He liked what he saw in Waldron, who was age 19 at the time, and convinced him to come to Quebec to drive on the Regional Fair Circuit and learn from Allard’s father, Michel, who trains the stable.

Waldron jumped at the chance and came to Quebec to drive on the Fair Circuit and was sensational. He was the leading driver in the Fairs and when they held the finals at the Hippodrome 3R, Waldron drove four winners on the card.

That was three years ago, and a pandemic that kept Waldron in Bermuda. Now Waldron is back and ready for action on the racetrack.

“I will drive wherever my name is down to drive,” Waldron said. “The Fairs, at the Hippodrome 3R or Rideau Carleton.”

In Quebec, the main language is French while many can speak English. How is Waldon handling the language?

“My French is probably a C- right now,” Waldron laughed. “It’s a tough language but I can understand a little.

“Opening day at 3R was last Sunday, Waldron explained. “And it was my first time seeing all the drivers and trainers. Everyone was so welcoming to me.”

How about the differences in food between Bermuda and Quebec?

“I love the food in Quebec,” Waldron said. “I am really not picky. Back home it’s Caribbean-style food. I’ll eat beans and rice as long as I am driving horses, because then I’m happy.”

Waldron’s plans are to race through the summer in Quebec.

“I love new opportunities and challenges,” Waldron explained. “So, being here for the summer has me very excited. My main goal is to get as many drives and as much experience as I possibly can. If I can latch onto a horse or a trainer that will take me to [Mohawk] then absolutely, I will be there.”

This Sunday at 3R (post time 12:00 noon) Waldron already has three drives and one of them, Mickeymaksomespeed, is a local favourite. Last week Waldron guided Mickeymaksomespeed to victory in a qualifying race, going wire-to-wire in 1:57.1.

“I’m hoping Mickey can be just as sharp as he was in his qualifying race,” Waldron said. “I’ll let him tell me what the game plan is.”

Mickeymaksomespeed has a tough task ahead of him on Sunday for Waldron as they face some formidable foes in National Debt (Post 5), D Gs De Vito (Post 6) and last week’s winner, Radley Hanover (Post 2).

Waldron has just three drives on Sunday and is looking forward to convincing other trainers to give him a try.

“So far Michel and Serge Nadeau are the two trainers giving me the best opportunities,” Waldron said. “I hope to get more drives in the near future from others.”

Waldron has been involved with horses since he was a young child in Bermuda and excels in Polo, Carriage eventing, dressage and jumping. But his true love lies in harness racing. Why else would he move more than 1,000 miles from home to try and make a career in North America?

Post time Sunday is 12:00 noon. A free race program is available at hippodrome3r.ca. To view the entries for Sunday's card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Hippodrome 3R.

(QJC)