Veteran New England driver Mike Eaton notched his 2,000th career victory Wednesday afternoon (November 18) at Plainridge Park when he guided H Andnharleythejet to victory in the afternoon's second race.
Eaton, 52, was joined in the winner's circle by family and members of the local harness racing community.
“My first win was obviously the most exciting,” Eaton said afterward, “but this certainly ranks at the top.”
The career milestone capped a busy month for Eaton, who has campaigned Black Broadway in the Breeders Crown and the Matron. On Friday he will be at the Meadowlands racing the two-year-old trotting filly in the Goldsmith Maid.
Eaton's milestone win might never have happened, as the Cumberland, RI resident had pondered retiring from driving just last season. When he does, Eaton said he has another member of the family waiting in the wings.
“At some point I will call it quits and let my son follow in my footsteps.” Eaton said. “My son, Mark, has lots of potential and hopefully someday he too will have a successful driving career and win as many races as me.”
(Plainridge Park)