Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Driver of the Month
for November 2010

John Campbell

Where does one even start when discussing the accolades of harness racing’s legendary top reinsman and consummate gentleman John Campbell?

Throughout his career, which is now in its fourth decade, John has shown to be an eloquent and articulate spokesman for the sport of harness racing, in addition to being a great driver and an all-around good guy.

John Campbell

This 55-year-old London Ontario native, who now resides in River Vale, New Jersey with his wife Paula and their children, has won 9,3739 races lifetime and accumulated purses totaling over $240 million. For those who don’t know, he was the youngest driver ever inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame at age 35 in 1990, and John is also a member of the Canadian Harness Racing Hall of Fame.

John's top partner in 2006 was the top 3-year-old trotting sensation, Glidemaster.

John’s dominance and presence in the harness racing is untouchable. He is at the top of nearly every statistical list kept by the U.S. Trotting Association, and has driven the winners of over $4 million annually every year beginning in 1982.

Since that time he’s had 15 years of piloting the winners of over $9 million; eight of those years have seen him steer winners to the tune of $10 million or better; and five of those years he’s driven horses to $11 million annually or higher. 2001 was his best single year ever, as John’s charges earned $14,182,238.

John Campbell & the great pacer Artsplace
John's first $10 million year was also his second best season in terms of total wins, with 516, in 1987, which earned him a .352 UDRS. In 1990 John drove 543 winners who earned $11.6 million, giving him a .358 UDRS—his best year ever for number of winners. He ranks first among all drivers in terms of the most 2:00 and 1:55 miles lifetime.

John is among the top ten of the all-time leading dash-winning drivers, and is the leading money-winning driver of all time. He has won 20 one million dollar races, including his seventh Meadowlands Pace Final—in a stakes record time of 1:49 behind Mach Three.

John & the great Mack Lobell in Sweden
John won his first Meadowlands Pace Final in 1982 with Hilarion, and then repeated that feat in 1989 with Dexter Nukes, and again in 1994 with Cam’s Card Shark. He was back in the winner’s circle again for the $1 million Pace in 1995 with David’s Pass, in 1999 with The Panderosa, and then again in 2001 with Real Desire.

In his native Canada, John has captured six North America Cups—which also carry a $1 million purse dangling on the finish line. He first scored with Precious Bunny (1991), then with Cam’s Card Shark (1994), David’s Pass (1995), Arizona Jack (1996), Gothic Dream (1997) and with The Panderosa (1999).

John & the top trotting filly Pampered Princess
In 2000 John was recognized by his native country with the Meritorious Service Medal, an honor created by Queen Elizabeth II, which rewards Canadians who have performed an activity in a highly professional manner.

John has won the Hambletonian a record six times, with Mack Lobell (1987), Armbro Goal (1988), Harmonious (1990), Tagliabue (1995), Muscles Yankee (1998) and with Glidemaster (2006). He has also won the Beacon Course Trot six times, the Sweetheart eight times, the Mistletoe Shalee five times, and the Little Brown Jug three times (with Merger, Life Sign, and Nick’s Fantasy).

John & the great trotting mare Peace Corp

Best known for his partnerships with Mack Lobell, Pine Chip, Muscles Yankee and Peace Corps, John’s hands have also guided the following to numerous victories: Artsplace, So Fresh, Cherry Hello, Amneris, Run The Table, Direct Flight, Miss Easy, Dictionary, Central Park West, WRH, Jake And Elwood, Bonnie And Clyde, Exotic Earl, Britelite Lobell, Act Of Grace, Kramer Boy, Carry The Message, In The Pocket, Armbro Fern, Immortalitiy, Guts, Express Ride, Totally Ruthless, Wesgate Crown, Silky Stallone, Western Hanover, Ball And Chain, etc.

                           John Campbell & the trotting filly Peaceful Way
John had been out of action since October 2006 after breaking a leg in a 2006 Breeders Crown elimination at Woodbine.   Campbell and Scootin Delight crashed over a fallen Shark Gesture, who had been run into by Total Truth. The accident saw the death of Scootin Delight and Campbell breaking his right leg, ending his Driver of the Year season with 183 victories and $8.79 million in earnings.

John Campbell's Career Statistics through November 1, 2010
Year    Starts    Wins    2nds   3rds     Earnings       UDRS
2010      1117      134      141      145      $6,932,911      .233
2009      1266      154      157      172      $7,348,050       .236
2008      1283      165      160      137      $9,063,592      .233
2007      1122      166      167      125      $10,127,507     .268
2006      1427      183      184      174      $8,790,864      .241
2005      1282      137      132      134      $4,728,037      .199
2004      962        152      117      107      $7,291,512      .263
2003      877        119      117      97        $6,035,930       .247
2002      1709      323      229      225      $11,967,597     .307
2001      1803      339      234      215      $14,182,238     .300
2000      1635      292      212      192      $11,160,482     .290
1999      1524      273      225      172      $10,318,997      .299
1998      1626      342      249      212      $10,776,709     .339
1997      1590      259      227      202      $8,923,339       .285
1996      1573      301      242      180      $8,201,091        .315
1995      1784      332      258      216      $9,469,797      .307
1994      1848      379      276      207      $9,834,139       .325
1993      1811      370      270      190      $9,932,682        .322
1992      2003      361      275      240      $8,202,108       .296
1991      2133      441      328      281      $9,340,737       .336
1990      2392      543      385      301      $11,620,878       .358
1989      2071      425      279      266      $9,736,527        .323
1988      2088      480      325      257      $11,148,565      .357
1987      2236      516      337      254      $10,186,495       .352
1986      2005      406      335      267      $9,515,055         .340
1985      2496      475      381      309      $9,628,116         .316
1984      1921      358      292      242      $7,201,798         .313
1983      1887      382      297      241      $6,104,082         .332
1982      1407      229      193      186      $4,326,495         .283
1981      1352      217      178      154      $3,194,315        .272
1980      1881      321      286      221      $3,732,306        .294
1979      1756      313      278      232      $3,308,984         .310
1978       709        82        93       93      $748,096           .232
1977      1159      188      173      148      $507,634            .288
Total             10,358                         $274,110,330