The last time Gene Piroski got his picture taken in the winner’s circle was September 29, 2012 but Sunday could change that.
The Cottam teamster scored his last win behind ST LADS ZOOM at Hiawatha Horse Park in Sarnia.
Piroski’s trademark black colours with white polka dots was a fan favourite at Dresden Raceway but when Dalton McGuinty’s Liberal Government reneged on their memorandum of understand with Ontario Horsepeople and cancelled the Slots at Racetracks Program he saw the writing on the wall and left the business.
“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,” he added.
Piroski’s lifelong passion for harness racing never died and now that he is back driving ready to build on his 1686 victories and over $9,000,000 in purses.
“It’s almost perfect that I can work all week and then on weekends I can drive horses, it’s so nice to be back,” he said with a big smile.
Piroski will be at the controls for 2-1 morning line favourite DARKTWISTEDFANTASY in the second race at Dresden Raceway.
DARKTWISTEDFANTASY is looking to break the $100,000 Lifetime Earnings mark for Megan Meekison of Belmont with a win. The eight-year-old Artistic Fella
mare has carded 21 wins and has $98,986 in the bank.
Sunday is Legion Day at Dresden Raceway as Legion members will be honoured with the first 50 Legion members receiving free hats as well as a race named in their honour.
Dresden Raceway’s second week with Chase The Ace progressive jackpot growing as the first week’s draw winner did not draw the Ace of Spades.
Post time for the 10 race card is set for 1:30 p.m.
