Driver Steve Wiseman is doing ‘Whatever It Takes’ to beat cancer, and beat the competition on the racetrack at Running Aces
Steve Wiseman got some very bad news in late winter of last year when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with indications in multiple organs. It was a diagnosis that would have rendered most people into defeat, but not Wiseman. From the very first hints of trouble to the very serious diagnosis, Wiseman was adamant that he would fight the cancer -- every step of the ‘mile.’
With tremendous support from his lovely wife and working partner Kathie Plested, his daughter Tyler and his extended family and with the support of the entire harness racing world behind him, Steve has been fighting the battle every day since that fateful diagnosis.
Steve and Kathie have expressed how deeply moved they have been by all of the support and love that was shown to Steve during his time of need. So many people reached out to the Wiseman family and offered their love, prayers and financial support. The outpouring of love and giving came from the far reaches of the harness racing community, from casual fans to fellow drivers to horse owners and even 'Mr. Harness Racing' himself, John Campbell. There were support campaigns that sold t-shirts or hats or wristbands. There were GoFundMe pages and there were prayer chains, and social media outlets were flooded with the hashtag #WisemanStrong.
All of the prayers and positive vibes have helped Steve to fight the fight every day, and have helped him get to where he is now: back at the races where he has always belonged.
Steve Wiseman
The battles have been tough, but they have been won. The current reports from doctors are extremely positive at this time, and recent scans have detected little to no cancer. Steve indicates that he is feeling good and he is more than ready to get back to racing. He would like to put some weight back on and has noted that one of the side effects of his treatments has been poor appetite and weight loss, but he hopes to be able to put some pounds back on soon.
Wiseman was very excited to get back to racing the day before he made his first qualifying starts of the summer. He noted, “I’m ready to get back racing, and I feel this is the one way I can give back to all of those who supported me: to get back out there and drive for them. That is the one thing that I can do.”
Well, that is exactly what all of Wiseman's fans and supporters wanted as well, and he has delivered.
On Saturday, June 13 at Running Aces, ‘The Magician’ picked up a nice 1:57.2 qualifying win with Queenace Bluechip after orchestrating a perfect pocket trip. He also steered Royale Big Guy to a solid second from off the pace in 1:58.4. Both of the horses are from his own barn and trained by wife, Kathie Plested.
Wiseman looked good on the track. He looked sharp and he looked like someone who was in his element. Prayers do get answered, and if you are determined to fight and give it all you’ve got, you can defeat most any obstacle. Steve Wiseman will tell you that, and he will keep on fighting this fight day after day and race after race.
Running Aces' community of horsepeople is so happy to have the resident ‘Magician’ back on the stage and doing ‘Whatever It Takes’ to win against cancer and to win on the racetrack. Wiseman will be on the track at Running Aces and will be competing in an effort to capture his third local driving title (he was leading driver in 2017 and 2018) when Running Aces' season of live racing opens this coming Saturday (June 20) at 1:00 p.m. Central.
This summer, amid capacity restrictions and other protocols related to COVID-19, Running Aces will be conducting all of its live racing programs in the afternoons. Due to the season’s belated start, the track will race into the month of October for the first time in its 13-year history.
Live racing will be conducted on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through the summer, with the exception of a special Friday card on July 3 and no racing on July 4. There are also three added Wednesday racing days in September on the 16th, 23rd and 30th. The season will conclude on Saturday, October 4.
(Running Aces)
The very best of luck to you
The very best of luck to you Steve, don't ever give up,the best is yet to come - that best is what will keep you going. When you sit behind one of these athletes and you ask him for all his got and he get's the job done, it's because he's a fighter and from what I read, you are yourself a fighter. We are like these animals, they do not always win and neither do we but they do not give up, they keep going. As I sit here reading your story and writing this, I have tears in my eyes - tears of sadness because of this terrible disease and tears of great joy because you are a fighter and told yourself that it is NOT YOUR TIME AND YOU HAVE MUCH MORE TO DO before you are willing to go. Go out there Saturday and show the people who supported you during your illness that you appreciate all of what they've done for you by sitting in that bike where you belong. The best of luck my friend, if I may call you my friend, and may the good LORD grant you a long, long life. HAVE A GREAT DAY! (Keep those DUKES UP) fists.