Ronnie Wrenn Jr. made his 2,000th trip to the winner’s circle after winning with Western Kissed in Northfield Park’s fourth race on Monday (Nov. 10).
Wrenn led at every call with Western Kissed, eventually besting his competition by 1-1/2 lengths. The 1:55 clocking was a season’s mark for the nine-year-old pacer, who returned $7.60 to win.
The 28-year-old Wrenn began driving in 2008. His 2,000 wins have helped him garner more than $8 million in purse earnings. He won the 2013 national dash driving title and is currently second this year.
Wrenn is a 2005 graduate of Hartland High School in Hartland, Mich. He played center field for and graduated from Mott Community College in Flint.
Although Wrenn comes from a horse racing family, he did not take an interest and become involved at an early age.
“I was 19 or 20 when I jogged my first horse. I was always really busy with sports and stuff,” said Wrenn. “I didn’t really have time for it.
“I was just sitting at the table working on stuff from school on my computer one night and looked up and told my dad I wanted to be a driver. He looked at me like I was crazy. But I was old enough that he really didn’t have a lot of say, and so far it has worked out.”
Wrenn has found success and has been a regular to the winner’s circle since his very first time behind the starting gate. He won in his very first race, aboard Artful Power in a $1,400 Billings race at a Michigan fair.
“It was hard breaking in at first. I guess I got lucky to be put on some good horses and things just took off,” offered Wrenn. “My parents and grandparents really helped me a lot as well as countless other people.”
Wrenn recalls his fastest win as being 1:50 with Rockin Finish. Ronnie’s richest win was for a purse of $200,000 with Friskie Lil Devil, in an Ohio Sire Stakes final at Scioto Downs. He rates the best horses he has ever driven as Night Pro or Arch Madness.
Ronnie credits several people as having large influences on his career. Along with his father and uncles, “My mom is my biggest fan and has been more supportive than anyone could even imagine. I am also very lucky to have Briana (his girlfriend). She is simply amazing and is vital to the success I have had.”
Wrenn says his ultimate dream race to win would be the Little Brown Jug, “But I would take the feature races at Northfield too. I am a big fan of the Cleveland Classic, Battle of Lake Erie and now the Milstein Memorial,” said Wrenn.
“I just like to win races. As unbelievable as this sounds, the purse really doesn’t matter to me. Whether it is a $200 per start or an Open, it just feels good to win and make people happy.”
(Northfield)