Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Odds On Racing's

Trainer of the Month
for January 2011

Nelson Willis

Longtime Chicago-based trainer Nelson Willis earned his very first training crown in 2010, capturing the title at Balmoral Park at the age of 67.

Nelson Willis

A Beecher, IL resident, Willis began his training career back in 1969 while working with his brothers Connel and Jessie Willis.

"I’ve come close to getting one here a couple of times but just came up a little short," said Willis. "It doesn’t get any easier as you get older so this feels mighty good to take home the title in 2010."

"Spider" as he is affectionately known as around the track sent out 419 starters. From those starters Willis had 80 victories, 66 second place finishes and 49 third place finishes. His winning percentage was a very respectable 19.4% while his horses earned just over $520,000 in purses at Balmoral.

Willis, who also sent out plenty of starters on the Indiana circuit during the 2010 season, was quick to praise everyone involved in his operation.

"It’s tough to be in so many places at the same time so often," he said. "I’ve really had some great help this year and I really want to thank all the owners that have sent me some very nice horses to train. It’s one thing to have a bunch of horses in your barn but it’s a completely different thing to have horses that are capable of winning each time they go to the track. That’s why I’ve had the success I’ve had lately."

During his career Willis has sent out a total of 905 winners and his trainees have earned more than $8.8 million in purses.