Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Driver of the Month
for January 2008

Eric Goodell

Eric Goodell has won driving titles at Hazel Park, Northville Downs, Saginaw and Sports Creek, and in 2007 decided to try his luck on the more lucrative northeast circuit. However, his initial venture proved to be more challenging than he anticipated.

Eric Goodell

“It’s been a decision I’ve been trying to make for 10 years, trying to make a move,” Goodell said. “I got home one night and I told my wife, ‘I’m going to New York,’ and I planned to go to Yonkers because I thought that was going to be the spot for me and it didn’t turn out so well.”

After some careful thought, the 34-year-old reinsman decided to give the East Coast another shot this year. Learning from his previous experience, Goodell vowed to persevere through the lean months in order to establish himself as a top tier driver.

“When I came down here the first time I don’t think I was ready yet,” Goodell said. “My son, Ty, was just born. Obviously, I had a lot going on in my personal life, and it was just too easy to go back home. I had to establish myself here.

“Then I came back last November and this time, it was all worth it. I got through it this time because I learned from those other times leaving Michigan what to do to not think about going back home. When I came out here [last November], and it was the wintertime, I was really hustling. I had a few months there where I felt I wasn’t getting the mounts I should get. It was a tough time. But, I stuck through it and now that I am doing what I doing, I’m quite proud of myself for dealing with the challenges. In the long run, I’m better off here. I’ve made a lot of good friends and the people are professional. This is not a grind. It’s enjoyable, it’s fun. I’ve come a long way out here. I’ve done a lot better than I thought that I would at this point.”

Goodell’s persistence has rewarded him handsomely. He is capping a career 2007 season with $5.6 million and nearly 500 races won – astounding numbers considering he had averaged $1.4 million in the previous seven years. Goodell cracked the Top 10 in the Meadowlands standings this fall and was barely outgunned by North America’s leading driver, Tim Tetrick, in the Pocono Downs standings, with 174 wins to Tetrick’s 180.

Goodell won the biggest race of his career with Tivoli Hanover in the $300,000 Max Hempt Final in May at Pocono, along with a pair of $100,000 Pa. Sire Stakes Finals with May June Character and Up Front Ben. He built on that momentum and continued to make inroads at
Chester Downs, Yonkers, Freehold and finally, the Meadowlands.

“The best thing I did was when I started racing at Pocono and Chester in the spring, I was also going to Yonkers on Friday nights,” he said. “It made aware of how much the Pennsylvania scene was a better fit for me. The tracks, the horses and the people suited me personally. “I had driven a few for Ross Croghan when [driver] Joe Pavia Jr. got injured there. Then, Ross started putting me down on all of his horses at Pocono and Chester.

“I’m on my way to where I want to get, and I just want the success to continue.
I’ve had a few longshots at the Meadowlands that I thought had a chance, I was
patient with them and they paid off. Hopefully, I can hook up with a couple of
really good horses.”

Goodell lit up the Meadowlands tote board several times in 2007--including with 90-1 shot Bunk on Dec. 5. He also guided 32-1 Huckster to victory in a Charles Singer Memorial division on Nov. 16. This weekend, he will look for upsets with Dreams Are Great, in the $46,500 mares open on Friday night, and Dragon Master, in the $60,000 Oil Burner on Saturday.

“Dreams Are Great is a top mare who prefers the front end,” he noted. “She tries a little bit harder when she’s on the lead, but I have won with her from behind. She’s a little hard to steer when you race her following cover. She was really sharp when he quit with her recently. She set a track record of 1:51.1 at Chester, then got a nice rest. I put her on the lead in the fog last time.

“I like Dragon Master’s chances,” Goodell added. “He’s a real high-speed horse. I haven’t really gotten the opportunity to get the trip that he really likes. I’d really like to come off cover. I haven’t gotten in a spot. Last week, I had to move him early and I didn’t really want to. He’s a lot better if you can wait and I’ll just have to see how it goes.”

Goodell has been residing at a Sleep Inn near Allentown, Pa., during his long but fruitful transition to the northeast circuit. However, he will officially put down roots next week when his family closes on a house in Breinigsville, Pa. The location will allow him to race the Pocono-Chester circuit, while continuing to drive at the Meadowlands on a regular basis.

“Tim Tetrick told me earlier in the year, ‘Next year, you’re going to be traveling as much as me,’” he mused. “I thought I raced a lot this year and he’s got double the starts. I’d like to pace myself, but I think I raced every day for close to six months. I actually can’t remember because the days go by so fast when you’re busy. I’d hate to see my hotel bill. I was telling a
friend this morning, hopefully two or three years from now, I can pick and choose some days off here and there. At this point though, I need to keep working hard every day. Then it will be nice to get settled in my house instead of living out of a duffle bag. I’m so close.”

Eric Goodell Career Driving Statistics Through January 1, 2008
Year Starts/Wins/2nds/3rds     Earnings       UDRS
2007   2892   487      412    359      $5,883,498      0.289
2006 1693   365      289   212      $1,763,981      0.352
2005 1761    357      295   214      $1,790,005      0.336
2004 1678   360      302    221      $1,451,842      0.358
2003 1704    328      317    212      $1,381,591      0.337
2002   1721   333      264    244      $1,303,678      0.326
2001 1683    295      263   206      $1,201,397      0.303
2000 1185    205      194    189      $911,747        0.317
1999   758     113      144    112      $372,895         0.304
1998 747    161      102    117      $264,623         0.344
1997   459     77        63      71      $121,472        0.296
1996 368      39        54      52      $90,225           0.235
1995 276      29        38      33      $39,015           0.221
1994     64      10         8       4      $10,308           0.247
1993     1          0         0         0      $105               0.000
Total            3,159                       $16,586,382