Merriman drives 9,000th careerwinner
Aaron Merriman, harness racing’s winningest driver in 2015 and 2016, collected career win No. 9,000 Tuesday at The Meadows when he guided DD’s Comet to victory in the fourth race.
A native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Merriman, 38, has been driving at both The Meadows and Northfield Park and has been rolling up wins at a rapid pace. He notched career win 6,000 in October 2013 and has amassed 3,000 victories in the last 42 months.
“I think just showing up every day and trying to do your best is part of it,” he said. “I’m not a guy who calls off. I show up. When you do that and win a few races, you build your confidence.”
Driving regularly at two tracks can be grueling, but Merriman says he expects to maintain his hectic schedule.
“As long as the quality of racing is as it is or better, I can see myself doing it,” he said. “Yeah, there are four tough days of doubleheaders, but that leaves three days to do things I need to do or relax. It’s not the size of the purses so much that motivates me as the quality of the horses. There are such nice horses at both tracks now.”
Even when he gets the opportunity for a few days off, he doesn’t take it.
“One of my fears is I would lose my drives if I took a couple days off. That’s not necessarily lack of confidence, but someone’s always there to step up and drive your horses. Some days, I want to stay in bed and sleep, but I can’t do it for fear I’d lose my horses. I know that sounds horrible; imagine what it’s like to feel it.”
Merriman indicated he has no long-range plans in harness racing or anything else.
“I’m a day-to-day guy,” he said. “I don’t look ahead at all, although I should. I just hope my kids find something they can get as attached to as I have.”