Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Driver of the Month
for May 2006

Rick Zeron

Like many of his drivers, the trip from Blue Bonnets newcomer to North America chart-topper has been direct, swift and sure for Rick Zeron. He came to Blue Bonnets from Connaught Park in 1982 and soon became a fixture in the Quebec oval's list of top five drivers. From 1986 through 1994, he was the leading dashwinner at Blue Bonnets seven times, while finishing second (in 1987) and third (in 1992) in the two years that he didn't top the chart. Zeron was alo the leader at Blue Bonnets in earnings for seven straight years (from 1988--1994) while winning the UDRS title five times.

Rick Zeron

During those years at Blue Bonnets, Zeron's overall numbers also ranked among the best in North America. His best year came in 1989, when his UDRS of .398 thrust him into third place among all North American drivers with 500 or more starts. He drove 437 winners that year--a career best--ranking him sixth among the leading dash-winners in North America, while his earnings of $2.1 million put him 22nd among the continent's finest.

In 1995 he shifted his operations to the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit of Woodbine and Mohawk and he has been one of the top drivers there ever since. His best finish in the WEG driver's standings came in the fall of 2003 when he was second in both wins (23) and UDRS (.299) He would up fourth in both victories (46) and purses ($557,119) during the Spring session that season.

Rick has piloted many great horses over the years, including Wild Turkey--a top trotter, and others such as Kirby Hanover, Whiteland Trouble, Danger of Fire, Armbro Obey, Blissfull Hall, Adonodis, Mustard and Gershwin Hanover.

Rick Zeron's Career Driving Statistics
Year     Starts   Wins    2nds    3rds    Earnings
2006      601        106      90       94      $1,850,040
2005      1715      266      204      187      $4,725,824
2004      1798      275      221      208      $4,062,926
2003      1829      252      181      222      $3,927,506
2002      1671      199      210      182      $3,725,739
2001      1387      132      172      165      $3,465,724
2000      1750      243      200      183      $5,059,292
1999      1063      137      122      137      $2,046,536
1998      1023      119      101      118      $2,012,776
1997      1152      134      124      125      $1,942,989
1996      1358      187      146      155      $2,480,055
1995      1223      159      142      150      $2,064,021
1994      1113      287      161      147      $2,069,852
1993      782        207      155      103      $1,331,280
1992      1165      246      210      168      $2,105,343
1991      1429      319      225      193      $1,874,800
1990      1671      388      285      245      $2,310,374
1989      1606      437      241      205      $2,154,957
1988      1393      272      197      221      $1,290,728
1987      1097      232      158      163      $925,064
1986      1173      252      192      153      $986,596
1985      652        94        91        82      $479,798
1984       550       114       59        74      $528,891
1983      850       143      113      103      $620,887
1982      739       149      117       90      $233,403
1981      835       189      116      113      $182,094
1980      712      157      111      115      $119,564
1979      400       72        66        47       $56,069
1978       269       48        39       32      $36,218
1977       277       35       37       47        $30,716
Total       5894                                   $54,731,097

2006 Archives
April: Brian Sears
March: George Brennan
February: Brent Holland
January: Mark MacDonald

2005 Archives
December: Tony Morgan
November: Mike Oosting
October: Chris Christoforou
September: Dave Palone
August: Jack Moiseyev
July: Randy Waples
June: Cat Manzi
May: Dave Magee
April: Jim Morrill,Jr.
March: Patrick Lachance
February: Paul MacDonell
January: Ron Pierce