Quietly and without much fanfare, Brad Kramer has moved his operation from Michigan to New York State
. Kramer, 53, has driven nearly 7,000 winners over his career has been considered one of the best drivers in the Wolverine State over the past few decades.
Among his many accolades are driving titles at nearly every one of Michigan’s pari-mutuel racetracks, which includes Northville Downs, Hazel Park Raceway, Jackson Raceway and Sports Creek Raceway, where he won his first driving title. He also topped the leaderboard on occasion at Windsor Raceway in Ontario.
And over the years Kramer built his reputation on his driving ability.
“I was Driver of the Year in Michigan five times and once Horseman of the Year,” Kramer recalled. “But things in Michigan now could be a whole lot better than they are, so I thought I’d try my luck on the East Coast like so many others from the Midwest have done.”
A quiet and unassuming gentleman, Kramer came east without much power, other than exceptional catch-driving ability.
“I drove in Lexington earlier this year and made connections with Mark Ford and a few other trainers from the East Coast with the hopes of getting some work in New York, so I decided to make a move and try my luck,” Kramer said.
“Currently I have five horses stabled at Mark Ford’s Training Center in Middletown (NY), but I never really carried a big stable and was always fortunate enough to get plenty of catch-drives.”
Kramer began his eastern excursion at the 'Mighty M,' but initially catch-drives came slowly though he’s won five times from a limited amount of starts. Recently he has been getting more driving assignments, however he’s also been competing at Saratoga Raceway where in just the past three weeks he’s driven 25 winners.
A native of Lennon, Michigan, Kramer quit college (Michigan Tech) where he was studying chemical engineering when the lure of racing horses became stronger than his desire to continue his studies.
Kramer broke in with the late Bill Deters in 1980 and after he earned a driver's license he began driving around the Michigan fairs.
“Bill was a hard-working horseman and he made the racing game fun. He was great teacher and he gave me a chance to drive,” Kramer recalled of his early mentor. “I’ll always be indebted to him.”
Kramer didn’t start pari-mutuel driving until Sports Creek Raceway opened in 1986 and didn’t really show his top-flight ability until 1993. From that year on his UDR averaged well over .300 and his win total each season varied from 259 in 2001 to a high of 466 in 2004.
Over the years Kramer drove some outstanding horses including Michigan champions Benn’s Riverdance, Raspberry Worthy and Small Favors. Over the years he has handled the driving chores behind no fewer than 10 Michigan State Champion two and three-year-olds.
Like all modest and knowledgeable horsemen Kramer gives most of the credit for his success to his mounts.
“In recent years I’ve been driving a lot better horses than I did early on,” the 5-foot-8 -inch, 155 pound horseman said. “It makes it a lot easier when the horses just want to go. You have to give them a chance. Lots of horses don’t want to go. That is the secret of driving.”
(Monticello Raceway)