If harness racing can have a young phenom, he’s standing before us in the body of Matt Kakaley. At just 21, he became the youngest driver in the history of the sport to win 1000 races. He’s like the LeBron James of horseracing. But a bit shorter. (But we bet his heart is just as big.)
We sat down with him at Pocono Downs in between races to get a young man’s perspective on the game of harness racing.
TrackPack: So Matt, where are you from?
Matt Kakaley: I was born in Michigan but I was raised in Florida. Then moved to Ohio and then to my home in Pennsylvania.
...We are
different than thoroughbred racing. We want to be right up tight to the rail. So you just have to out run the other horses to get the inside position.
- Matt Kakaley, Driver
TP: What’s your record now?
MK: Just over 1200 wins. But I was the youngest in history to reach 1000 wins.
TP: Did you get anything special for that?
MK: Just some poster boards. Nothing special.
TP: Bummer. Do you have a racing philosophy?
MK: Nope. I just get on them and go.
TP: Are there rules for the road? I hate to say this but how do you “Jockey” for position.
MK: Well we are different than thoroughbred racing. We want to be right up tight to the rail. So you just have to out run the other horses to get the inside position.
TP: But if you’re boxed in, there’s no place to go, right?
MK: You can get stuck. You have to wedge your way out or wait till you can pass on the stretch.
TP: Did you always want to do this?
MK: Yeah. My dad drives still and my mom trains. I guess I was born into this.
TP: Is that way it is for most drivers? A family calling?
MK: Pretty much. It’s kinda hard to break into the business.
TP: So unlike a Jockey, it doesn’t seem like a driver’s size has any advantage.
MK: Not really. I know one driver who’s 6’3” and has 12,000 wins!
TP: Do you remember your very first race?
MK: Oh yes! I was really nervous and it went by really quick. I think I finished fourth. But it was really exciting.
TP: Do you feel you’re in sync with the horse as you race?
MK: A good horse will let you know when they’re ready to go. And our job is just to point and steer.
TP: Ever break anything?
MK: Luckily, no. I’ve been down a couple of times and in a few pile-ups, but not seriously hurt. (We knock some nearby wood.)
TP: We hear drivers have groupies.
MK: That’s what they say, but I’ve never seen ‘em. Where are they? Let me know!!??
TP: Any advice for a kid coming up in the sport.
MK: Work hard. And be polite. And don’t ever get a big head.
We couldn’t agree more.
