Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Snyder Scores Win #6,000

April 16, 2007

Driver Doug Snyder, 56, captured his 6,000th career victory on Monday night (April 16) at The Meadows. His milestone win came in the eighth race when he guided Southwind Utica to victory.

A native of Fremont, Ohio, who was raised in Painesville, Snyder began his harness racing career by accompanying his father, trainer Richard Snyder, on a circuit that included Illinois, western New York and Pocono Downs. He won with his first drive, behind Manor Grace at Balmoral Park in 1971.

Richard's father Clare was a trainer, as was Clare's father William, making Snyder a fourth-generation horseman. There was never any doubt about his career choice.

“This was all I ever wanted to do,” he said. “It's kind of hard not to when you're the fourth generation.”

Snyder lives with his wife Jan and their two children in Meadow Lands.

He settled in at The Meadows in 1973 and has had many historic drives. He steered 2-year-old pacer Angela Ty and freshman trotter Meadowmiss Hanover to world records -- both in 1985 -- and piloted freshman filly pacer Armbro Dancer to a world record a decade later. Snyder-driven horses currently hold five Meadows track records, including the remarkable 1:56.4 mile trotted by the 2-year-old filly Eye Perfect that was achieved on a cool, blustery night not conducive to fast times.

Snyder also drove the top fast-class trotters Yankee Douglas and Columbus Hanover as well as Out Of Court, the 2-year-old filly pacer of the year in Ohio in 1993.

“We still dream about winning the Adios, the Little Brown Jug, the Hambletonian,” he says. “That's what keeps us young at heart.”