Justin Walters has a good seat to watch some of the top harness racing drivers in the world go about their work, but just as important as what he can learn with his eyes is what he can with his ears.
Walters, who will turn 22 at the end of this month, has been driving at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows since launching his career in June 2022. That has provided the opportunity to race with the likes of Dave Palone, Aaron Merriman and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. — who have combined to capture the past 13 North American dash titles, and 16 overall — on a regular basis as he looks to advance his own career.
Palone is the winningest driver in history, with more than 21,000 victories, while Merriman is third all time and has won the past 10 dash crowns. Wrenn, a two-time dash champ, has won more than 500 races for 12 consecutive years. Add in Meadows regular Mike Wilder and his more than 9,000 lifetime triumphs, and it is a group that has visited the winner’s circle nearly 55,000 times.
“They’ve won so many races,” said Walters. “If I ask for advice — even if I don’t ask for advice — they try to help out as much as possible. They don’t want the younger generation to not be taught. They want the younger generation to be better, they don’t want us to be just average, and they want us to understand more things. They try to give as much advice as possible. When you’re young, you’ve got to listen to what people have to say.”
Walters, a third-generation horseman, has won 137 races and $1.7 million in purses in his fledgling career. Last year, the Washington, Pennsylvania resident posted 75 victories in total, reached $1 million in purse earnings for the first time in his career and finished just outside the top 10 in wins among all drivers at The Meadows. He also finished just outside the top 10 at Rosecroft Raceway, where he drove occasionally.
“It was a very good learning year,” said Walters. “I drove some pretty good horses and definitely learned a lot. Probably the biggest things were patience, teaching one how to relax and trying to get the most out of them. I think there are definitely times to be more aggressive, but as a young driver, I think patience is a good thing to have.”
Walters followed his grandfather, Clarence, and father, Steve, into racing. He also has an uncle, Jason, who is a trainer based in Maryland. Walters tried a couple jobs outside of harness racing but knew his heart was with the horses.
“I remember jogging horses with my dad when I was like six years old,” said Walters. “I’ve been around the horses my whole life. I didn’t really want to do [other jobs] as much as I wanted to do the horses.
“I enjoy watching the horses develop into racehorses over time. I think that also teaches patience. You can’t expect them to do it all right from the get-go.”
Walters got his first win in 2022 at The Meadows with Miss Lucy Ivy, a female pacer that was trained by his father. Walters won two races that season, increased his total to 55 in 2023 and reached 75 last year.
Among his highlights last season were driving in state-sired stakes in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Maryland. He hit the board in two Keystone Classic divisions and was fourth in a Maryland Sire Stakes championship.
Another top moment was winning with four-year-old pacer Gung Ho in a career-best 1:50 for trainer Ron Burke at The Meadows.
“That was pretty cool,” said Walters. “You really don’t feel the speed. Those horses, a lot of them, just do it so easily.
“And getting to drive in some stakes races was a very good experience and fun. Just a good time.”
Walters is hoping for more good times as this season moves along.
“Last year, I was focused on getting over 100 wins lifetime and just trying to gain more opportunities,” said Walters. “This year, I’d like to get 100 wins and maybe win a stallion series or a stakes race.
“My stats aren’t the best, but there are a lot of good drivers here and that makes it tough. You don’t always get the best horses. You’ve got to take what you get and try to make the most of it all the time. I’m just thankful for the opportunities.”
(USTA; photo of Justin Walters winning with Gung Ho)