Harness Racing Insider

Friday, March 21, 2008

Driver Pat Berry scored his 2,000 career victory this past week at Freehold Raceway in New Jersey.

The 32-year-old Illinois native, who began his driving career in 1994, enjoyed a career best season in 2007 with 508 wins and earnings of $4,701,648.

The mild-mannered and affable horseman has always been a favorite of this writer, for his easy-going demeanor and subtle nature. He’s easy to spot in the driver’s room, as besides his bright blue and orange colors, he’s usually got a big grin on his face.

A graduate of Harvard High School, Pat took some college courses but says he “just wanted to work with horses.” That desire sprang from Pat’s genetics—his grandfather is Illinois horseman Clarence Jacobs, father of his uncle Randy Jacobs who has been a successful Illinois reinsman for three decades.

Pat’s driving career began in 1995 when he steered the pacer Evere to a 2:00.1 victory at Balmoral Park as a “P” driver. During the next few years Pat averaged 150 drivers per season in Chicago and decided he needed a change. He ventured to Dover Downs in 1999, 2000 and 2001—the first years he exceeded $100,000 in purses from his catch-drives. A few years later, he went East permanently.

In 2002 Pat drove 66 winners to $499,575, and the following season amassed $1.6 million with 236 trips to the winner’s circle. In 2004 his charges earned $2.6 million from 339 winners, and in 2005 he steered 325 winners to the tune of $3.1 million. 2006 saw him pilot 303 winners to $2.1 million in purses.

His career totals as of today find him with 2,004 wins and $16,368,037 million in earnings.

“I study the program every night before my drives to see who I’m in against but I really listen to the trainer,” Pat said. “I’ll drive the horse the way that trainer wants the horse driven because he works with the horse all week long and has to take him home once I hand the lines back to him. I think it’s important to take care of people’s horses they way they’d like them to be handled in a race.”

Currently, Pat ranks sixth in North America with 118 winners and $770,836 from Jan. 1 through March 21, 2008.

“In Chicago, the drivers are very aggressive,” Pat noted. “In Chicago our horses are used to being parked and endure more rough miles on a consistent basis.”

Pat says he admires top drivers such as Mike Wilder, Dick Stillings, Dave Palone, Tony Morgan and Ron Marsh.

“Before I ever drove I admired Ronnie Marsh,” Pat recalled. “He was out of racing for seven years and came back into it like he’s never been gone. He really knows the horse he’s driving. If the horse is so-so, Ron will ride the wood and if the horse is really good, you can bet he’ll give him a shot.

“Palone and Morgan are both top guys at each place and both always seem to be in a good spot to win a race. They always have their choices of the best horses, which doesn’t hurt either.

“Dick Stillings is a very patient driver—he’s kind of like Dave Magee in his style of driving, while Mike Wilder is an aggressive driver who always has his horse in a good position.”

On his own driving abilities Pat says: “I always try to drive the way people want me to, and I always say thank you. That person with the couple of $4,000 claimers could have the next world champion. As a catch-driver you’re providing a service, and it is important to always be professional and polite.”

-30-