By Rick Teverbaugh, Herald Bulletin Sports Editor
ANDERSON — There are so many races over the course of a season, over the course of a career that each win, unless it is in a big stakes race, gets lost in the shuffle.
But when those wins mount up over the course of time, it deserves notice and recognition.
This standardbred season at Hoosier Park two drivers have reached win milestones. Mark O'Mara got win No. 2,000 and Rick Farrington notched win No. 1,000.
O’Mara rallied in gate to wire fashion with Midnightsuperstar, posting a half-length win over fast-closing Chaplin Hall, driven by Trace Tetrick. The seven-year-old Chivas Merit gelding recorded the mile in 1:57.4, a new lifetime mark. Genesis Priority and Andy Shetler finished third.
The win for Midnightsuperstar was his first of the year, and was a bit of a surprise to bettors. The Dan Perdue-trained horse paid $34.20, $13.00, and $6.00 across the board. Dr. Doug Bruinsma of Auburn, Ind. owns Midnightsuperstar.
“It’s just a number,” said O’Mara with a smile. “It’s taken me 36 years. The drivers now win that many in a year and a half. I’m just glad I’m still getting drives. Indiana has been good to us, and I appreciate the opportunities I get to drive.”
He was unafraid to poke fun at his own accomplishment and added, “I might be the oldest living guy to reach 2,000. I was kind of embarassed. I was trying to lay low.”
O’Mara got his first opportunity to drive at the age of 15, guiding Son Of Waygale to victory at the Troy, Ohio matinee. O’Mara’s father, Frank, is also an accomplished horsemen and is still involved in the business as a trainer.
“For 10 to 12 years I mostly worked for one owner,” explained O'Mara. “We concentrated on developing young horses. I was mostly known as a trainer/driver.”
O’Mara has been a mainstay on the Indiana circuit for the past decade. He continues to be a dominant force in the driver standings at Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, currently ranked in third place behind leader Peter Wrenn and Ricky Macomber Jr.
The Michigan native currently resides in Parkland, Fla. where he spends the winter months each year. “We have six hard months of racing up here (in Indiana),” said O'Mara. “This has been a successful season for us. We started out strong and it evens out.”
Farrington reached 1,000 behind Gimme A Big Hug. That horse held on by a neck and picked up his first win of 2009 in a time of 1:53.3.
“It’s a nice feeling to win my 1,000 th,” said Farrington. “I couldn’t have won it for a better trainer, either.” Gimme A Big Hug is trained by Mike Weller and owned by Paul McConville of Jacksonville, Fla.
Farrington has been in Indiana for the past three seasons. Prior to his move to the Midwest, he competed on the New York and New Jersey circuit, where he found success as a top 10 driver at tracks such as Yonkers Raceway. Following an injury that sidelined him for nearly a year with a severely broken leg that required surgery, Farrington decided to relocate to Indiana in his quest back to driving horses. In addition to catch driving, the 44-year-old reinsman has a small stable of horses in training at LJ Stone’s farm in Muncie.
Farrington grew up in the business under the direction of his father, Dick, and mother, Dorothy, who produced several top horses from their stable.
