Lester “Bud” Teeters has seen more live racing at MGM Northfield Park over the last four decades than anyone. On Wednesday, Jan. 29, he will judge his final race high above the Home of the Flying Turns before riding off into retirement.
Teeters learned early the value of hard work and dedication, helping his dad train horses as a 14-year-old. By the time he was 16, Teeters was driving at the fairs, earning his first victory in 1977.
He moved to Northeast Ohio in 1983 and it was a move he would never regret.
“I was fortunate enough to have raced some really nice horses; it was always a thrill to win,” said Teeters.
And win he did, earning 1,039 training and driving victories in his storied career with just shy of $3 million in earnings, according to United States Trotting Association records.
In the late 1990s, Teeters started to get the itch to try something else. In August of 1999, he jumped at the opportunity to become an associate judge at a track he called home since the early '80s.
“I was starting to get burned out on the hardships of maintaining a stable,” said the longtime judge. “It was time to try something new, so I jumped at the opportunity.”
Teeters would continue to perfect his craft, and in May of 2005, he was hired by the Ohio State Racing Commission, taking on the role of presiding judge.
Part of Teeters' passion has been watching some of harness racing’s champions grace their presence over Northfield Park; however, he admits that the big races tend to be a little more stressful.
“Seeing the best in the business race is always fun. I have witnessed several really great champions over my time here,” said Teeters. “While I don’t normally get nervous, some of the bigger races brought on some nerves. You don’t want to miss anything and you want to get calls right. Staying focused always is so important.”
Teeters is one of the more familiar faces around Northfield Park, known far and wide by horsepeople and fans of the Northeast Ohio facility. When Teeters will wrap up his judging career on Wednesday night, he will be missed, not just by the horsepeople who he has worked with for several years, but also by track management and the Commission he has served for more than 25 years.
“Mr. Teeters has been a fixture in the Northfield stand for over 25 years. In that time, he has come to be known for setting the standard of how to be a judge with knowledge of the rules, judgement, fairness and even temperament," said Chris Dragone, Executive Director of the Ohio State Racing Commission. "The success and growth of Ohio Racing is owed to people like Teeters. Like so many others who have worked with him, it has been a privilege.”
Northfield Park’s Director of Racing, Dave Bianconi, echoed Dragone’s sentiment.
“Bud is incredibly knowledgeable, fair and even-handed in the judges stand," said Bianconi. "He understands all aspect of the game [and] is greatly respected by both horsemen and management. He always made sure the wagering public’s interests were protected at all times. His steady oversight over the years has helped Northfield grow and maintain our spot as one of the leading tracks in North America.”
Teeters has spent many long nights in the judges stand at Northfield Park. When asked about what he is looking forward to most in retirement, he laughed and said, “I am looking to getting to bed before 2 a.m."
In a sport that is begging for new blood, Teeters offered advice to the incoming generation of officials and horsepeople.
“Always be respectful to your fellow man, it will go a long way," he said. "This applies to both judging and training horses.”
Teeters will be honoured following the sixth race on Wednesday evening.
“Bud will be sorely missed,” said Bianconi.
Post time on Wednesday is 6 p.m.
(With files from Northfield Park)