Lems reaches 3,000 victories

WASHINGTON, PA, Feb. 2, 2024  — Harness racing Chris Lems collected career win 3,000 when he piloted Bars Open (Bar Hopping) to victory in Friday’s second race at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.

“It’s a real good feeling, something I had to get past,” he said of his milestone win. “When you’re coming to a mark like that, it always seems like it takes forever to get there.”

BARS OPEN / CHRIS LEMS MILESTONE REPLAY

In addition to his winning drives, he’s compiled 188 victories as a trainer. Combined, his wins have been worth about $25.8 million in purses.

Lems, a South Dakota native who now calls Stowe, Ohio, home, is a third-generation horseman who apprenticed with his uncles in Iowa and Minnesota. He recorded his first driving win in 2003 at Oskaloosa on the Iowa fair circuit. His most productive year was 2022, when he notched 315 wins.

“I always wanted to do this growing up,” he recalls. “I really didn’t think much about any other career.”

Among his favorite horses, Lems lists Winning Shadow, a 9-year-old Jordan Hope trainee who’s won 64 races and more than $939,000 in his career — and he’s still active. In 2022, Lems guided him to his lifetime mark of 1:52.3 at MGM Northfield.

“He’s been an awesome horse. I can’t really put too many in front of him.”

Lems drives regularly in Ohio and at The Meadows, often working at multiple venues on the same day. It’s a rigorous schedule, but he intends to stick with it.

“Northfield has been my base for six or seven years,” he said. “I came to The Meadows originally to get my ‘retirement starts.’ But I’ve been getting enough work, so it’s worked out. The trip between the two tracks isn’t too bad. I don’t have a stable of my own anymore. If I still had a stable, driving at both tracks would be too much to do.”

Sumomentsomwhere A (Somebeachsomewhere-Special Moment) overpowered the field with a first-over burst and rolled to a decisive victory in the $21,200 Open Handicap Pace.

Making his fourth domestic start, Sumomentsomwhere A was sitting third when Ronnie Wrenn, Jr. moved him off the cones. He swallowed up American Music on the lead and motored home in 1:51.3, matching his career best. Duval Street was second, 3-3/4 lengths back, while American Music saved show.

SUMOMENTSOMWHERE A REPLAY

Michael Burke trains the winner, a 7-year-old gelding who pushed his lifetime bankroll to $127,304, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Larry Karr and Jamie Durnberger-Smith.

Dave Palone piloted four winners on the 15-race card while Wrenn and trainer Brandon Presto each enjoyed a triple.

Live racing at The Meadows resumes Wednesday when the program features a $466.12 carryover in the Pick 5. First post is 12:45 PM.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Evan Pattak, for the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association