Trot Insider has learned that driver Billy Davis Jr. has concluded his stateside driving assignments with plans to compete on the Woodbine Mohawk Park circuit going forward.
The 38-year-old Guelph Ont. resident has been mainly plying his craft over at Northfield Park in Ohio, where he’s currently enjoying his third consecutive season of more than $2.5 million in earnings. He recently enjoyed a six-win night at the Home of the Flying Turns on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
In recent years, Davis Jr. has been driving over the Campbellville, Ont. oval sporadically, and with Northfield dark on Saturdays this past November he's been a more regular weekend presence in the Mohawk driver's room. But a permanent return to racing back home is something he feels that is necessary.
“The past few years [racing at Northfield Park] have been a great experience,” Davis told Trot Insider. “I feel that I’ve not only grown, but learned a lot driving wise racing in New York and Ohio, competing against some of America’s greatest drivers.
“Truth be told, being away from home hasn’t been easy for my family and I and it will be great being home again every day.”
Davis acknowledged that the transition will be an adjustment for him professionally, having to get reacclimated to the Mohawk circuit, but factoring in his family life made the decision an easy one.
“I enjoy being at home,” stated Davis, who has three children under the age of 10 with his wife, Amy. “I like being with the kids, so it’s hard when you’re racing so often and you can’t do anything with them… it’s nice being able to have dinner with them and put them to sleep. I’m really happy about that.”
No stranger to the Ontario circuit, Davis enjoyed a career year back in 2012 when he made 460 trips to the winner’s circle while totalling more than $5 million in driving earnings. Lifetime, Davis sports 4,029 victories with more than $33 million in purses.
On Nov. 28, Davis picked up his first WEG circuit win in more than six years when he scored in a dead-heat with eight-year-old gelding Hervey Hanover in a conditioned claiming pacing event. His last win on a track in the Woodbine Entertainment group of properties came at Woodbine Racetrack in March of 2018 with Legend Within.
(Standardbred Canada)