Case Solid In Return, Wins Twice
The eyes of the harness racing world were on Plainridge Racecourse Friday afternoon, as Walter Case, Jr. made his return to the bike and recorded victories in the first two races he participated in.
Case drove in five races on the program.
Coupled with two-year-old Dragon Again filly Lady Wyvern in Race 1, Case wasted no time returning to the winner's circle. He showed no rust in the bike and brought his Patricia Sumner-trained mount to the wire first in 1:58.3, resulting in a $2.20 win price.
His next assignment came in Race 3, and Case continued to roll. Paired up with nine-year-old On The Road Again gelding Bells Pond Road, Case got the job done once again in 1:58.3 and produced a $4.40 win price for his backers. Bells Pond Road is trained by Walter's brother, Tim.
In Race 4, Case drove five-year-old Badlands Hanover horse Bad Kat like he was the best, giving him the best shot. Case guided Bad Kat first up, but his mount faded in the lane, hanging on for third in the 2:00.2 mile. Bad Kat is conditioned by Joel Wheeler.
Not relenting, Case again utilized a first-over move in Race 5 with three-year-old Red River Hanover gelding Down The River, another Wheeler student. Case and his mount looked like winners in the lane, but a finish line photo proved that they were just nipped at the wire in the 2:03 mile.
In Race 6, Case left from Post 4 with Jamie My Boy. After clearing to the lead via an early move, Case worked out a pocket ride for the eight-year-old Village Connection gelding. Case and the Wheeler trainee maintained their position the rest of the way and finished second.
In total, Case finished the day with two wins, a pair of seconds and a third, hitting the board in all of his assignments.
In September 2004, Case pleaded guilty to stabbing his estranged wife in the back with a steak knife during an incident that started at the couple's home on June 22. He was released from prison in October.
In a Trot Magazine feature article posted yesterday, writer Bob Carson went one-on-one with Case in his first question-and-answer period since being released from prison.
Good Job Walter Congrats Man
Good Job Walter Congrats Man I have seen People first hand with Addictions such as yours Over Come it and I know you can too good luck in the future and May God Be with you Everyday Reminding you not to Touch Drugs Or alcohol Again keep under Control Man you have my support and the support of others Good luck
"Walter Case Jr." His name
"Walter Case Jr."
His name conjures up not demons but visions of a Walter only pick 3 at Northfield and the hot stretches where Walter would take the worst horse of the field in the final at Northfield and win.
His D&A problems were no secret and the same problems have plagued many if not most of the jockeys in the thoroughbred field as well--just read the resumes at KY Derby time.
Of course felony assault with a steak knife on the ex-wife deserved serious time and he got it-- and he served it-- so give the man the second chance to prove himself worthy of his freedom in society. Let him work-- we need people working in this great country and not on welfare.
Hopefully Walter can return to Northfield and Yonkers or wherever the powers that be in the US Trotting Ass'n allow.....while he is still relatively young enough to reclaim his position as the legendary harness racer [over 11,000 wins] who could take a slow horse and spur him/her/it on to victory.
So Walter.....no kicking ! Keep those feet in the stirrups ! And no partying either ! If you want to drink, stay on the cranapple juice.....and I hope to see you back on the card at the Northfield.
Remember: getting high or drunk just doesn't help a thing and it isn't worth the risk to yourself and everyone around you.
Just keep on pacing and trotting because you are one of the only legends the sport has. Don't blow it this time.
Mike B
The feedback from all of the
The feedback from all of the Walter Case related stories so far have resulted a lot of talk but I'm not too sure all of it is worthwhile. We can all sit here and argue forever about whether or whether not Walter should be back in the industry but what does that change? To be honest I think legitimate cases can be made for Walter to drive or for him not to drive. At this point it is out of all of our hands. Walter and the horses he drove on Friday looked great, competitive and full of confidence and that is what this industry desperately needs. This sport needs as much on track excitement as it can get and Walter helps provide that. Also wouldn't you feel confident betting on a horse driven by Walter? The real focus right now should be on Walter as a person if this game gives a darn about him like it claims to at the current time. The combination of alcohol and drug addiction is one serious enchilada. If people haven't seen it first hand or gone through it themselves they have absolutely no point of reference. People overcome that addiction through support, not just some support but a lot of support. The last thing that Walter, Nadine and the people in their lives need right now is negative crap. No matter if you agree with it or not Walter has paid some dues and come one heck of a long way. How about giving the guy one LAST chance with a zero tolerance policy. At that point it will be Walter who will control his own destiny.
Always was the best and
Always was the best and always will be, the only driver on the planet that can win with crap. The man makes horses go and improves their ability to race, this guy is incredible.
i think it great mr case is
i think it great mr case is racing again.
I am not sure we should have
I am not sure we should have a convicted felon on our backstretch. I am opposed to Case's return due to his high profile. In Canada a convicted felon cannot enter the backstretch.
GLAD TO SEE THIS YOUNG MAN
GLAD TO SEE THIS YOUNG MAN BACK AT WHAT HE KNOWS BEST AND THATS DRIVING HORSES.
HE DID HIS TIME FOR THE CRIME.
GLAD TO SEE HIM BACK IN THE REAL WORLD BEST OF LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
HOPE YOU GET PLENTY OF WINNERS .
JIM MURDOCK.
IRELAND.
My inside feelings keeped
My inside feelings keeped telling me that you are one of a kind (one of the best), after 4 and one half years of absence you have proven to the rest of us and to yourself that you have not lost any of your skills and that you do not need those demons in your life. You have been clean for 4 1/2 yrs, you have got the will power to do so, remember to thank the GOOD LORD once in a while ( and yourself) for this chance you are receiving and keep up the good work, I know that there are a lot of good people out there routing for you. THE BEST OF LUCK, Ron.
He was the best before and
He was the best before and will be the best again if he stays healthy and clean...all the best Walter...go gettem.
In reply to He was the best before and by Anonymous (not verified)
I questioned weather or not
I questioned weather or not he would be able to jump in and be a top notch driver again, i mean 5 years without even setting a hand on a horse. There obviously will be be questions weather or not he still had it or not, and he proved it today, if gretzky came back and played today i would bet a bunch he would score 100 points....you can never take away talent. i hope he stays clean and serves as a role model for some of the younger guys.......`he paid the price, imo the ultimate price....how many guys have had problems with drugs/alcohol and never kicked it....the circumstances in which he had to kick are very very unfortunate...there is a victim....and nothing is said about her welfare. i hope she is doing well and truth be known....if walter is able to control thr drinking and drugs, i hope he finds it within himself to apolagize to nadine... she never asked for that to happen...deep down i believe walter is remorseful...but i also said that maybe he sounds like that b/c thats what the people want to hear...
I wish you the best Walter, hopefully you overcame your problems and are able to move on...some people will stop at nothing to go against you but do it for the ones that believe you can change...life is about 2nd chances, youve had your share and this may be your last 2nd chance....make it count..drive on
Walter "hands of silk" Case
Walter "hands of silk" Case jr. you are money my man....money.
He still has the "magic
He still has the "magic touch"!! When you are born with a gift, it never leaves you. The hands
may have been idle for a while but the feelings of the thrill of winning never left him.
GOOD LUCK, WALTER and with any luck for me you will someday be somewhere where you can drive
my horse again. It was just a "clunker" but you could make him look like a champion in a
race. May God bless you and give you the help you need to succeed. We are all rooting for
you.