Driver Mark MacDonald has confirmed that he will likely not be the main driver for world champion pacer Sportswriter this year. His replacement: harness racing's driver of the decade, Brian Sears
.
Sears recently told Trot Insider that he was "pretty excited" about being asked to drive Sportswriter, North America's two-year-old pacing colt of the year. A son of Artsplace – Precious Beauty, Sportswriter is currently being prepped for his sophomore campaign by trainer and co-owner Casie Coleman who co-owns with Southwind Farms, Steve Calhoun, Ross Warriner and Zoltan Kovacs. An ambitious stakes schedule is planned for 2010, with the North America Cup, Meadowlands Pace, Little Brown Jug, and Breeders Crown among his targets.
Last month, Stan Bergstein pegged Sportswriter as his pick for the fastest three-year-old of 2010 in his experimental speed ratings for the United States Trotting Association, predicting a mile of 1:47.1.
“It doesn’t look like I’m going to get to drive Sportswriter,” MacDonald told The Guardian. “It’s hard to say right now, but it doesn’t look that way."
While disappointed, MacDonald respects the decision of the owners.
"I try not to worry about stuff that’s not in my control. I wish the best on the horse, and who knows I may end up driving him anyways. It’s just kind of the way the business goes sometimes. I try not to worry about it too much, it goes like that.”
I don't think anyone who
I don't think anyone who posted comments is taking it hard, they are merely voicing there opinions. For anyone who thinks that this has not really upset Mark they would have to have there head buried in the sand. Who wouldn't be upset over this development and rightfully so. Although Mark is a top driver because his driving base is weg, he only will get a few opportunities in his lifetime to win the big races. This opportunity has been taken away, does anyone really expect him to speak out about it and express his true feelings when he still gets to drive overnight horses for the connections of sportswriter. That would be a sure fired way to get bumped off those horses also.
Mark doesn't seem to be
Mark doesn't seem to be taking it too hard. So why should anyone else??
So much for loyalty, reminds
So much for loyalty, reminds me of politicians. Mark MacDonald can drive with the best of them and did an outstanding job with this horse last year. Excellent drivers as well as excellent horses can come form Atlantic Canada(Somebeachsomewhere & Shadow Play). Bob Kirkpatrick
For all Mark has done for
For all Mark has done for Coleman & Calhoun I am surprised. Maybe you will get the last laugh Mark and find one that can upset somewhere down the road...say the NA Cup.
I am sorry my fellow
I am sorry my fellow neighbors from the great white north. But I agree with the driver change. The best harness horse drivers on Earth drive at the BIG M. There are maybe 1 or 2 WEG drivers that could maybe make a living in Jersey. Making a living translates to maybe being a top 15 or 20 driver. The guys in Jersey are better than you guys on the WEG circuit because there are usually 10 guys trying to win a race.
I have never seen such racing as Mohawk and Woodbine conduct, NO FLOW HARNESS RACING CANADIEN STYLE. Weg has very good purse money. But the way the racing product is conducted is not entertaining, and the drivers, trainers, owners,and the person wagering suffers.
IMO, the only difference
IMO, the only difference between the top 25 drivers in the game is what's between the shafts. It comes down to horsepower & personally I think the connections should have given Mark the chance at least at the start of Sportswriters 3yo campaign. He seemed to do fine as a 2yo with him driving. Good drivers are good drivers no matter where they come from or drive & great horses make good drivers look even better & bad horses make good drivers look average.....it's called "HORSE" racing after all!
I totally agree with Gord
I totally agree with Gord Brown. Nothing more to say.
stephane beaudoin
I have to respond to Mr.
I have to respond to Mr. Carters remarks as to that particular Breeders Crown Race. The race which I believe influenced the decision for the driver change. Mark MacDonald
left hard with the horse off the gate and parked a horse of Doug McNairs through 3/4
of the mile. Then All Speed Hanover swooped up and by him and the horse amazingly battled back to only lose by a nose...an incredible race!!
On another note had MacDonald let McNair go and then retook I don't believe we would
be writing any of this!!
This is a business and you
This is a business and you would want the best for the best. Mark is an excellent driver but no one is better then Sears to figure out a trip with a horse or rating them. He seems to have a clock in his head. They are better off to have him on their horse then on the competition. He is great under pressure. This is just an extra insurance policy for the owners.
wow mark aint good enough to
wow mark aint good enough to drive that horse give me a break great horses drive themselfs
Sportswriter had a pretty
Sportswriter had a pretty good year with MacDonald on board. Why fix it Cassie? Doesn't appear to be broken.
Knowing Casie and knowing
Knowing Casie and knowing she is an ultimate first class act I am sure this decision came down to a vote between owners. Alot of people think the US team of drivers are superior to Canadians. A scant nose would have kept this colt undefeated. I remember back in the day when Pat was driving Cam Fella people were saying how much better he would be with another driver and then he reeled off a cool 28 in a row.
P.S. I am a big believer in fate and I think for Randy and Mark there will be another Art Colony and Sportwriter right around the corner.
Gord Brown
With Macdonald driving last
With Macdonald driving last year Sportswriter won 7 out of 8 starts and 2 yr old of the year honors. In the horses only loss in the year end breeders crown race, if memory serves me correctly the horse was sitting 4th or 5th going up the backstretch and Mark brushed him to the front and had to battle off a couple of horses only to lose by a nose. This was a move any top driver would have made as you want to control the race and he give this horse every shot of winning.
One has to wonder if he had of won that race if he would be driving him this year. With his long and very successful association with trainer Coleman and owner Steve Calhoun this is a very surprising and disappointing development. No one is questioning the driving ability of Brian Sears but you don't have to be based at the big m to win races. Mark you can hold your head high, you did a great job with the horse.