At one time he was a horseman before an accident in 1992 left him temporarily paralyzed. Now, he's a 50-year-old New York salesman, divorced and a father of two, and he wants to get back into the racebike
Twice a week, Alan Charles makes the drive through Midtown New York to the Meadowlands Racetrack. According to a story posted over the weekend in the New York Times, Charles can be found at the Meadowlands paddock trying to pick up drives on qualifying days when trainers are in a pinch for a driver.
“I tell them, ‘It’s either me, or the horse doesn’t race,’ ” Charles said to the Times. “Sometimes they just throw the reins at me in disgust, because they’re annoyed I’m so pushy. It’s not the typical way to get drives, but I do what I got to do.”
That same perseverance landed Charles in this year's Passover Pace at Monticello Raceway in April. He won, guiding Cody Little Gal to victory for his first win since 1992.
“I know that I can drive with anybody, or else I wouldn’t be out here.”
To view the Times' video feature, click here.