Dan Charlino got his first win as a harness racing driver nearly 25 years ago, so although his name is new among the sport’s leaders, the Philadelphia native is no newcomer
to the game.
A little more than halfway through this season, the 46-year-old Charlino already has set a career high for wins and is on his way to surpassing the $1.48 million he earned in 2009. Charlino entered Wednesday with 266 victories, which ranked No. 14 among all drivers in North America, and bettered his previous best of 217 triumphs last year. He had $918,533 in purse earnings.
Last week, Charlino became the leading driver at Ohio’s Northfield Park, moving past Aaron Merriman, who has been sidelined since June 11 with injuries suffered in a racing accident. Charlino has won 232 times at Northfield, in 897 starts, winning at a 26 percent clip.
Charlino also competes at The Meadows in western Pennsylvania, near his home in Canonsburg. Charlino has 34 wins at The Meadows, where he is 12th in the driver standings.
“It’s really the first year I’ve totally committed to this going back and forth,” Charlino said about driving at the two tracks. “I like it. I’m sharper than ever and I know what it takes to win races. I always thought I was good enough to do it, but until you do it, you don’t know exactly what it’s like to be that guy. It’s different, and it’s harder than people think it is. It’s one thing to get the power; it’s another thing to know what to do with it.”
Early in his career, Charlino focused on training a small stable and driving his own horses. Over time, he was training fewer horses and driving more often. Last year, when his last horse was claimed, he decided to drive on a full-time basis.
Last year, he set a career high with 1,705 starts as a driver. This season, he has 1,424. The extra work has helped Charlino hone his skills.
“The more races you drive, the sharper you are,” said Charlino, who on July 2 won nine of his 12 drives at Northfield. “You’re in every different possible situation, and you’re ready for it. There’s no way to duplicate it; you have to actually be out there. It’s really helped me.
“I always believed I had the talent to do it. I believe there’s more to show.”
Charlino was introduced to racing by his parents, Richard and Mary Lou, who worked as tellers at Liberty Bell. He began work around the stables, which eventually led him from Philadelphia to California to Alberta.
“It was all I ever wanted to do,” Charlino said. “It took me everywhere in North America, basically, and I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. I was in California for four or five years. Then I went to western Canada, and that’s where I cut my teeth, basically. There are a lot of good horsemen up there that no one has ever heard about; and good drivers, too.
“I had a great time when I was younger and I learned a lot from a lot of real good trainers. Everywhere I went, I always had my mind open. There was something to learn from everybody, even to this day.”
In 1997, Charlino returned to Pennsylvania and began racing his stable at The Meadows. Prior to 2002, he never drove more than 1,000 races in a year. Prior to 2004, he never won more than 96 races in a season.
“I appreciate every trainer who has put me up, or hopefully will put me up in the future,” Charlino said. “I always feel for the trainer who puts in the work, because I’ve been there and I know what it takes to get that horse to the races every week.”
Charlino is looking forward to continuing his record season.
“I’ve never been on top of the standings before and I’m trying not to let it get to my head,” he said. “It’s a big thrill and I appreciate it.”
This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.