Chris Lems collected career win 3,000 when he piloted Bars Open to victory in Friday’s second race at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
“It’s a real good feeling, something I had to get past,” Lems said of his milestone win. “When you’re coming to a mark like that, it always seems like it takes forever to get there.”
In addition to his winning drives, he’s compiled 188 victories as a trainer. Combined, his wins have been worth about $25.9 million in purses.
Lems, a South Dakota native who now calls Stowe, Ohio home, is a third-generation horseman who apprenticed with his uncles in Iowa and Minnesota. He recorded his first driving win in 2003 at Oskaloosa on the Iowa fair circuit. His most productive year was 2022, when he notched 315 wins.
“I always wanted to do this growing up,” he recalled. “I really didn’t think much about any other career.”
Among his favourite horses, Lems lists Winning Shadow, a nine-year-old Jordan Hope trainee who’s won 64 races and more than $943,000 in his career — and he’s still active. In 2022, Lems guided him to his lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at Northfield Park.
“He’s been an awesome horse. I can’t really put too many in front of him.”
Lems drives regularly in Ohio and at The Meadows, often working at multiple venues on the same day. It’s a rigorous schedule, but he intends to stick with it.
“Northfield has been my base for six or seven years,” he said. “I came to The Meadows originally to get my ‘retirement starts.’ But I’ve been getting enough work, so it’s worked out. The trip between the two tracks isn’t too bad. I don’t have a stable of my own anymore. If I still had a stable, driving at both tracks would be too much to do.”
Sumomentsomwhere a decisive winner in Meadows Open
Sumomentsomwhere A overpowered the field with a first-over burst and rolled to a decisive victory in Friday’s featured $28,649 Open Handicap Pace.
Making his fourth North American start, Sumomentsomwhere A was sitting third when Ronnie Wrenn Jr. moved him off the cones. He swallowed up American Music on the lead and motored home in 1:51.3, matching his career best. Duval Street was second, 3-3/4 lengths back, while American Music saved show.
Michael Burke trains the winner for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith. The seven-year-old Somebeachsomewhere-Special Moment gelding is now two-for-four since arriving in North America and pushed his lifetime bankroll over $133,000.
Dave Palone piloted four winners on the 15-race card while Wrenn and trainer Brandon Presto each enjoyed a triple.
Live harness racing at The Meadows resumes on Wednesday when the program features a $466.12 carryover in the Pick 5. First post is 12:45 p.m.
(With files from Meadows Standardbred Owners Association)