“Home free. Tyler Smith. Big night. That’s five on the card.” That was the race call from the thirteenth race on June 28 last year when Smith had the biggest night of his career. He had won five races at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Now, Smith is back.
With his sights set on the Mecca of harness racing, Smith has taken some time to reflect on the biggest night of his career. “Winning one race at the Meadowlands is something special,” said Smith, “but winning five races was unbelievable. It was beyond a dream come true.”
In 2014, Smith made 39 starts at the Meadowlands, winning seven races, or 18 per cent, a more than respectable figure.
Winning five races this Saturday may be a challenge, but Smith did pick up seven drives on Saturday’s 12-race card at the Meadowlands, which will mark his return to the East Rutherford, New Jersey oval.
Smith has said a text message was the catalyst for his return to the New Jersey oval.
“Sam McKee sent me a text message and asked if I wanted to come out and drive with some of the drivers heading to the Levy at Yonkers. I said ‘absolutely.’ Any opportunity I can get to drive at the Meadowlands I am going to take. Hopefully I can get lucky and win some races.”
It will be a busy weekend coming up for Smith. “I’ll be in Ohio on Friday, then heading to the Meadowlands to drive Saturday night before I have to be back in Ohio for a 3 p.m. post time on Sunday.”
Smith will be looking to pick up as many drives as he can in the coming weeks. “I am not coming out to drive for any one trainer, I am just looking to pick up whatever I can. Hopefully in the coming weeks I get lucky and pick up some good horses along the way.”
(Meadowlands)