Chris Page has made a quiet entrance into Hoosier Park Racing & Casino this year. The 26-year-old native of Mt. Vernon, Ohio is coming off his best year to date in 2009, scoring 351 wins and surpassing the $1 million mark for the first time in his career. He is about to crack the top 10 drivers at Hoosier Park
, posting 10 wins in the first full month of racing.
Page is relatively new to Indiana, but his driving skills have spanned across several states over the past five years. He has concentrated his efforts mainly on the Ohio circuit, driving at Scioto Downs and Northfield Park. He has also branched out to tracks such as Colonial Downs, Buffalo Raceway, and even a short stay on the East Coast, driving at Chester Downs, Freehold Raceway and The Meadowlands. In all, Page has earned 866 wins in only 11 years of racing.
“I wanted to experience a few new things, so that is why I’ve chosen different places to race at every winter,” said Page. “I wanted to do the same with Hoosier Park and try something new. This is a Grade A facility and the money is large. I’ve raced here a little in the past, and for a career move, I thought it was a decision headed in the right direction to come to Indiana.”
Page started out on the Ohio fair circuit as a teenager, gaining an interest in the sport from family members such as Roger Hall and his cousin, Tom Hall, who is stabled at Hoosier Park. Page and Hall even share the same colour scheme of maroon, blue, and white in their driving colours.
Following high school, Page attended Ohio State University for three years as an equine science major, but chose to leave college early to pursue his passion of driving harness horses. His move has paid off, already scoring leading driving titles at Scioto Downs and Colonial Downs.
As a result of his success, Page has earned the seat behind several top flight horses in the Midwest. His most noted charge is the Invitational pacing mare, Lavish Liz, who is a perfect three-for-three at Hoosier Park in 2010.
“She [Lavish Liz] is just a real classy mare and can do anything you want at any time,” said Page. “I drove her a little as a two-year-old, but she was growthy and a little immature. She is a big powerful horse now and perfect to drive. Mike [Conklin] has done a wicked fantastic job prepping her. She’s come back really strong this year.”
Although Lavish Liz has been easy to maneuver on the track, Page has experienced a horse not so easy to steer this year at Hoosier Park. In the fifth race Sunday, May 2, Page pulled on the right line of Legacys Best to make his move in the stretch and soon found the line coming right back to him.
“At the top of the stretch, the line came undone and came right back at me,” said Page. “He [Legacys Best] veered inside the pylons and rode there to the finish line. At that point, I was able to get him around two poles and then headed him into the white fence in the centerfield and he stopped. I’ve had bits break before but this is the first time I’ve had a line do that.”
With the opening of Scioto Downs, Page will begin to divide his time between Ohio and Indiana. However, he still hopes to continue his success on the Indiana circuit as one of the new catch-drivers in 2010.
(Hoosier Park)