The last time Gene Piroski got his picture taken in the winner’s circle was September 29, 2012, but that could change on Sunday.
The Cottam, Ont.-based teamster, who was a fan favourite at Dresden Raceway with his trademark black silks with white polka dots, stepped away from harness racing when Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal Government cancelled the Slots at Racetracks Program. His last victory came courtesy St Lads Zoom, who was victorious at Hiawatha Horse Park more than six years ago.
“It was pretty obvious that the harness racing industry was going to suffer and I didn’t want my family to suffer. I had to feed them the best way I know how so I changed professions without having to pick up and move my family,” Piroski said.
The 46-year-old driver left Ontario and worked out west for two years before coming back and landing a job at Chrysler in Windsor, but something was missing in his life.
“I’ve been in this business my whole life and I love it. Leamington is just 15 minutes down the road and tracks like Dresden and Sarnia are perfect. I’m excited to be back in the bike and hope that I can hit 2,000 wins before I’m done.
Piroski’s lifelong passion for harness racing never died and now that he is back driving he's ready to build on his 1,686 victories and more than $9,000,000 in purses.
“It’s almost perfect that I can work all week and then on weekends I can drive horses,” he said with a big smile. “It’s so nice to be back.”
Piroski will be at the controls for 2-1 morning line favourite Darktwistedfantasy in the second race on Sunday at Dresden Raceway. Darktwistedfantasy is looking to break the $100,000 lifetime earnings mark for Megan Meekison of Belmont, Ont. The eight-year-old Artistic Fella mare has won 21 races and has $98,986 in the bank.
Sunday is Legion Day at Dresden Raceway. Legion members will be honoured on the racetrack with a race named in their honour, and the first 50 Legion members will receive a free hat.
It's also Dresden Raceway’s second week with the Chase The Ace progressive jackpot growing as the first week’s draw winner did not draw the Ace of Spades.
First post time for the 10-race card is set for 1:30 p.m. To view the entries for Dresden's Sunday card, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Dresden Raceway.
(with files from Dresden)