Look out drivers, longtime perennial leader Brad Kramer is returning home to Michigan
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After a five-month stint on the east coast, one of the Wolverine State’s leading reinsmen is preparing to be back in action at familiar surroundings, Northville Downs and Windsor Raceway.
Kramer did well while spending the majority of his time competing at Saratoga Harness and Monticello Raceway.
With Monticello Raceway as his home base initially, Kramer started off by doing double duty, driving at Monticello Raceway Mondays through Thursdays and then at Saratoga on Fridays and Saturdays -- and he did well at both places.
He started slowly at Monticello after arriving in October, 2010, but once the local training colony recognized his ability he began picking up catch drives. And at Saratoga his driving prowess shined. There were many nights during the late fall that Kramer would post three or four winners on a card. He even won five races on a few evenings.
When Saratoga closed in December, Kramer still had Monticello, where he became one of the most sought-after catch drivers, though the big-city action in greater New York City alluded him.
Although, recently Kramer has been slowly getting drives at Yonkers, and a few at the Meadowlands, too, they were few and far between for his liking.
“I was really hoping to catch on at Yonkers or the Meadowlands but it didn’t work out this time around,” Kramer said philosophically. “It’s hard to get started anywhere new without bringing with you some decent horses. But for my first try on the east coast I think I made a good showing for myself.”
Kramer is leaving the 'Mighty M' currently as the second leading driver with 28 wins. He trails the busy perennial leader Bruce Aldrich, Jr. by seven or eight wins. He is even three or four wins ahead of 17-time Mighty M champ Billy 'Zeke' Parker, Jr.
“I really enjoyed racing here,” Kramer said. “The local drivers are a good bunch of guys and they have been gracious and a pleasure to race against. I’m very appreciative of the local trainers, especially those who allowed me to drive their stock. The front office, the racing secretary and the publicity department couldn’t have been nicer. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to return sometime soon.”
(With files from Monticello)