Mike Eaton has been making his share of winner’s circle appearances since arriving from the East Coast last month and the 49-year-old Massachusetts native plans on continuing the trend here at Cal Expo.
“I actually got into harness racing because my parents played the races at Foxboro,” Eaton explained. “I fell in love with the sport as a kid and wanted to be just like those drivers.”
It was a chance encounter at the racetrack that gave Mike the pass he needed to get to the backstretch and pursue his dream. “I got to be friends with Bruce Aldrich while playing video games, and his family was heavily involved in racing. When I was 18, I went to the backstretch with him and started learning everything from the ground up.”
Eaton eventually started working with Bruce’s uncle, Basil, then struck out on his own at Foxboro. When that track closed, he plied his trade at The Meadows, Saratoga and most recently back home in Massachusetts at Plainridge. “When Plainridge closes for the five-month break, I would normally go to Monticello, but this year we’re trying California. I like Monticello, but it’s hard to get in and then there’s the winter weather.”
By the way, the other Eaton showing up recently on the program here at Cal Expo is Mike’s son, Mark. The amateur driver is getting some experience in the sulky while also working his way through college.
For the most part, the elder Eaton has gone about his business on half-mile and five-eighths layouts. Now that he’s competing over the mile oval at Cal Expo, he related, “A lot more patience is needed.”
As far as all-time favourite horses, a soon-to-be eight-year-old Florida-bred trotting son of Famously holds that honour. Famous Image, who is one of the performers who has made the trip out West with Eaton, is closing in on the $100,000 earnings plateau.
“When I bought him, he was pretty lame, and my wife didn’t want me to do it. I saw something in this horse and I took it as a challenge.”
Famous Image won 10 races the first two years under the Eaton banner and has prevailed in eight of his 30 starts this season. Challenge met.
(Cal Expo)