I am a big believer in fate.
Last Friday, my flight was cancelled to New Jersey due to weather and I subsequently missed my drive on Lawmaker in his prep race for the Hambletonian.
Dave Miller filled in and got along very well with the colt. He joked that he would love driving the colt in the future if we ever needed him again.
For over 20 years, I've driven horses and amassed over 3,000 wins.
But there is much more than 40 pounds difference between Dave Miller and Anthony MacDonald, of that I'm very aware. Given the fact that Dave got along well with Lawmaker and he is willing to drive him, I'll be resigning the drive on Lawmaker to him on Hambo Day in East Rutherford.
Lawmaker may be a longshot on Saturday but what he represents is immense for a lot of people inside and outside this industry: everyday people racing in one of North America's biggest races.
As you can imagine, this was a very difficult decision for me, growing up watching the Hambletonian and dreaming of the day I got my shot.
As a driver, I want to be the one on the gate next Saturday, but as the co-owner of thestable.ca I have a much bigger responsibility a huge group of people.
I could make a case to drive Lawmaker, but I made a very public promise to current and future clients of thestable.ca to always try to do what's best for the horse and our clients no matter the circumstances. Allowing Dave Miller to watch the Hambletonian from the drivers' room in order to chase my dream on other people's dime runs contrary to what thestable.ca stands for.
Driving horses full-time isn't my life any longer. Attempting to better horse racing, and building a blueprint for success moving forward is what matters most.
It has consumed a great deal of my time, but allowed my wife and I an opportunity to deliver the game we all love to the place it originated and belongs: right in the heart of society, where the everyday men and women can experience the greatest thrill they will ever have.
We have proven that affordable ownership is the lightning rod this industry needs to grow in every direction needed to succeed:
• customer service
• participation
• engagement
• attendance
• fan base
From these five cornerstones, the limits of our future are endless. When executed properly, it can only grow wagering revenue and be the rising tide that literally floats all boats in this industry.
I'm certainly not going to rule out ever driving in the Hambletonian. But this Saturday is not my time.
The views presented in Trot Blogs are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Standardbred Canada.
A classy move by a classy
A classy move by a classy guy. Others could learn a lot from watching the way Anthony and Amy put the interests of their clients ahead of their own. We've been in the business over thirty years and members of TheStable.ca for the last two. Best move we ever made. Thank you Anthony and Amy.
Karry & Allan Howard
Proud to be a member of
Proud to be a member of thestable.ca
Brian & Judith
As they say, "You've got to
As they say, "You've got to be in it to win it" and what a classy an unselfish move Anthony has made. What a nice understanding human being. The best of luck to all The Stable.ca and mostly to Amy and Anthony for their hard work in trying to make this THE SPORT OF KINGS AND QUEENS. GOOD LUCK ON HAMBO DAY.
I'm one of the lucky owners
I'm one of the lucky owners of Lawmaker and I've told Anthony this privately and now publicly. This is probably the most unselfish act I have seen from anyone in my 30+ years in this business. No matter what happens on Saturday, we're already winners being a part of thestable.ca and having Anthony and Amy putting our best interests ahead of theirs.
Once again you have shown how
Once again you have shown how a class act operates and thinks. David Miller is an absolute phenomenal driver and has been thru the pressure of a race like this. People can say what they want about the Stable but you have always maintained that you do what is best for your horses and so I wasn't a bit surprised with what has transpired. I hope you get your chance someday to sit behind that starting gate at the Hambo. As for me, I will be traveling from Windsor with my 86 year old dad and my 2 brothers to cheer on Lawmaker and the Stable.ca at the Hambo. Good luck to all the owners of Lawmaker and David Miller. Anthony you are one of a kind, and best of luck to you too because I know you own a piece of him too.
Anthony, you know I support
Anthony, you know I support all your decisions. This is hard, however, your thoughts are pure and reasoning sound. It's more than classy, it's long-sighted.
for someone to give up a
for someone to give up a drive in the Hambo, who has proved he belongs as a driver, is a wonderful quality that not many horsemen have. I can only say wishing you and the rest of Lawmaker's owners the very best of luck. we will be pulling for him and you.
Classy move MacDonald!
Classy move MacDonald!
Class move by Anthony, and I
Class move by Anthony, and I wish his horse the best of luck. He may be a longshot, but as long as you are in it, there is a chance.