Odds On Racing - Harness Racing

Warren Gets An Early Holiday Gift

December 9, 2006

Todd Warren Scored his 2,000th career victory Saturday
at Balmoral Park with his horse Olympic Magic in 1:55.4.

Christmas came a little early this year for 41-year-old driver Todd Warren. The Beecher, Illinois resident scored his 2,000th career victory Saturday night at Balmoral, when he piloted Olympic Magic to win the first race.

"This is definitely a career highlight and my best achievement thus far since I’ve been in Illinois," Warren said. "I’ve been here for six months now and I couldn’t be happier."

Warren, who dons maroon, gray and black colors, was born and raised in Casey, Illinois, but has spent most of his harness racing career plying his wares in Michigan. He began driving professionally in 1981.

"The purses were better here in Illinois and I had raced here back in 1986 for a short time," Warren said. "When I was younger, I raced at the county fairs here. My dad did the harness horses part time and that’s how I became involved." Warren currently conditions a stable of eight horses based at Balmoral.

"The competition—in terms of the drivers—is more fierce here," Warren said. "The racing here is much more tougher than anywhere else I’ve been and is a lot tougher than it was the last time I was here. Back then you had maybe one or two horses that you had to beat in each race, and now, you’ve got at least six in each field that can win any given race. People are hungry here, and it shows." Warren also scored career victory 2001 Saturday night when he guided trainer Nelson Willis’ Abouttolosecontrol to victory in Balmoral’s $21,500 Free For All Pace later that evening.

Warren has amassed career earnings of $5,692,082 to date, and 2006 looks to be his best year ever, as he’s already driven the winners of well over $1.2 million this season.

As a trainer Warren has conditioned 757 winners to $2,366,126 in earnings. His current stable star is the top pacer Yukon Cornelius, who has earned $115,606 this season for Warren.

"I like Illinois and I have no plans to leave here," the driver-trainer said.