Wilbur Yoder collected career win 1,000 on Friday at The Meadows when he piloted Catching Katie to victory in the 12th race.

A native of Topeka, Indiana, Yoder grew up around harness racing but opted instead to begin his career in a factory that produced RVs.

“A friend persuaded me to buy into a racehorse,” he recalled several years ago. “After that, I started hanging around the fairgrounds at Goshen — just a few miles from Topeka — and began driving. The first time I drove in a purse race, I won. That got me going.”

Yoder worked for Bob Key in 1993, the year Key’s American Winner won the Hambletonian, and he served for 16 years as second trainer for Greg Wright. Although he’s been driving regularly since 2001, Yoder diversified two years ago when he launched his own stable. He now trains about 10 head, including six for John and Leslie Ducharme.

“John called me one day,” Yoder said. “I’m not quite sure how he picked me out, but that’s the way it worked out. So far, training has been great. I’ve always enjoyed training young horses and watching them progress.”

Yoder’s own progress was slowed in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan roiled the waters of Chartiers Creek and caused massive flooding in the region. Yoder was among the victims, losing nearly everything he owned when the raging waters swamped his apartment. Since then, he’s purchased a house near Washington and got back to a business he finds rewarding.

“We have a drivers colony that’s probably as tough as you’ll find,” he said. “I’d take more drives if it works out that way, but I’m satisfied with that I have now.”

(The Meadows)