Dave Magee, the Chicago circuit’s most successful and admired driver, reached an extraordinary accomplishment Saturday night at Balmoral Park by going over the $100 million plateau in U.S. money earnings.
The 60-year-old resident of Big Rock, Illinois became only the 17th driver in North America ever to do so.
A victory behind Tour Hall in the $25,900 Hanover Stake for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings put Magee only $1,291 from the major milestone and one race later a third-place finish with Real Or Magic in the fifth race $15,000 Invitational sent him over the $100 million plateau.
Magee started his driving professionally in the late 1970’s and back then Wisconsin native never dreamt he would go on to have such an illustrious career, one that would earn him a place in the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.
“Obviously when I started out I never had the inclination I would have the good fortune that I have had,” said Magee. “I’ve been blessed through the years with good trainers with good horses.”
Magee is well on his way again to record his 36th consecutive year with horses at his lines earning over $1 million in a season and he doesn’t plan any time soon to hang-up his driver colours.
“I still enjoy driving horses that are competitive, and exceeding to get the results that are expected,” continued Magee. “It’s frustrating when they don’t do what you expect them to do, but it is very rewarding when you do get those accomplishments.
“I’m not hitting any home runs, I’m just getting done out there what probably should be getting done.”
Through the years, the modest driving King of Illinois has racked-up 11,768 “base hits” and an abundant number of home runs, including close to three dozen American National championships with horses like Odds Against, Keystone Raider, Staying Together, Continentalvictory and Color Me Best, just to mention a few.
Magee delivered a Breeders Crown champion with Anniecrombie (1988) and netted a Canadian Pacing Derby winner with Mr Dalrae (1984).
Along the way he’s been in the bike behind 29 Super Night champions, won a record 12 driving crowns at Maywood Park, and nailed down 11 more, the most ever, at one-time Sportsman’s Park and has bagged titles at Balmoral, Hawthorne and old Quad City Downs.
As you can see, Magee has knocked it out of the park over and over again, year after year.
In his career, Magee has won more than 90 per cent of his races in Illinois and he did it through our best of times and the current lean of times.
“Things have always worked out for me and I have to believe they still will," he said. "I‘ll just show up and try to do the best job I can. I’ll still make some mistakes out there, but you try to limit them and learn from them.”
Magee has one more upcoming driving feat to accomplish and this one will certainly test the patience of the unflappable father of six.
“The years just keep rolling by. Even my youngest isn’t a little girl any more. She’s old enough now that she wants to drive the car. I guess I can get through teaching one more how to pass a driver test and hopefully live to tell about it,” he added laughing.
(Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association / Photo courtesy Balmoral Park)