There are five participants in North American harness racing that can boast seasons with 1,000 wins or more. Only one is a trainer, and that trainer is Ron Burke. The Hall of Famer added his record fourth 1,000-win season in 2022, with the year not yet completed.
The Canonsburg, Pa. resident is harness racing's all-time win leader with 13,315 victories to his credit. On Sunday (Dec. 18) at Harrah's Philadelphia, The Wild Card gave Burke his 1,000th win on the year.
Burke has posted 1,000-win seasons four times in the last decade — 1,090 wins in 2013, 1,093 wins in 2014, 1,012 wins in 2018 and 1,002 wins in 2022 as of press time. Earnings-wise, Burke's starters have banked more than USD$295 million. He's on pace to top the USD$300 million mark in career earnings next season, and he'd be the first participant in North American harness racing to reach that plateau.
Four drivers have posted seasons with 1,000 wins or more. The list of the winningest seasons appears below.
Top 10 Winningest Seasons in North American Harness Racing (Trainer or Driver)
- Tim Tetrick - 1,188 driving wins in 2007
- Aaron Merriman - 1,144 driving wins in 2018
- Aaron Merriman - 1,095 driving wins in 2017
- Ron Burke - 1,093 training wins in 2014
- Ron Burke - 1,090 training wins in 2013
- Walter Case Jr. - 1,077 driving wins in 1998
- Ron Burke - 1,012 training wins in 2018
- Tony Morgan - 1,004 driving wins in 2006
- Ron Burke - 1,002 training wins in 2022 (as of Dec. 19, 2022; year not yet complete)
- Aaron Merriman - 999 driving wins in 2019
In my opinion the greatest…
In my opinion the greatest stat in ALL of horse racing bar none!!