Everybody has heard of 12-year-old standardbreds winning races --- it's rather common, actually. Although, what isn't common is when a 12-year-old driver turns the trick.
On Sunday, June 10 during the Historic Track's matinee races, 12-year-old Joey Chindano of Bullville, New York made his first drive a winning one when the youngster guided veteran pacer Kevins Apples to a 2:05.2 victory that brought the crowd to a standing ovation.
The driving victory even brought announcer Howard Oil out of the judges stand, where he calls the races from, to say a few words about Chindano's victory.
“Oh my God, did you see that? A 12-year-old just drove the winner here at Historic Track. This may be a harness racing first,” an excited Oil shouted over the PA as the crowd cheered. “He drove a great race and look, he can hardly reach the footrests on the sulky.”
Young Chindano was joined in the winner’s circle by his proud father, Joe Sr. When the elder Chindano was asked if he was nervous with his son out there against drivers three and four times his age, he quickly replied. “Not at all," he said. "I wasn’t a bit nervous. We have been training our three colts together and Joey handles the colts very well. I know he’s young, but he’s been around horses his entire life. He loves them. Why he thinks he’s George Brennan, for gosh sakes!”
When 'Mighty Joe Young' was asked who his favourite trainer is, he blurted out, "My dad, of course” in the blink of the eye. He was almost as equally quick when he explained who his favourite driver is. "'The Bomber'” he said, referring to pilot Larry Stalbaum. “He drives my dad’s stock and he wins a lot of races, too.”
Young Joey Chindano is a Grade 7 student at Harmony Christian in Montgomery, New York. He was back in school in Goshen on Monday morning after having recorded his thrilling victory the afternoon before.
“He’s cramming for his finals now,” Joe Sr. said. “But I know his mind is wandering from time to time thinking about his driving victory.”
“He’s a good kid and a good student,” family friend and fellow trainer Brian Yusko added. “He loves working with the horses and he’s good at it too.”
(With files from Monticello Raceway)
To be honest there should be
To be honest there should be a minimum weight the driver must be or the horse must carry. I don't approve of them letting this kid drive in an actual race unless he could have met a minimum weight level.
Nice story but not the first.
Nice story but not the first. Kyle Desroche, who competes regularly on PEI's Matinee Racetrack Circuit, recorded his first win last year. It was during the O'Leary Potatoe Blossom Festival race card at the Charles F. Willis Memorial racetrack. He was 12 years old at the time. His horse Gold and Chances was trained by his 15 year old brother Ryan.