Kakaley aiming for more after three-peat

After closing out his third consecutive driving title at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Pocono Downs last week, Matt Kakaley can still add to his list of accomplishments before his 2024 harness racing campaign comes to an end next month.

Kakaley has already set a career high for purse earnings this year, with $9.55 million, but has his eyes on the $10-million mark as he will continue driving at MGM Yonkers Raceway through mid-December. In addition, the 36-year-old Pennsylvania resident is 32 victories from establishing a career best for wins.

“It’s been a great year,” Kakaley said. “It’s a lot of work, I can tell you that. I’m probably going to hit close to 3,000 starts again; that’s quite a few. There are a lot of doubleheaders and a lot of going up and down the road. But I’m really happy, and I’m thankful, for sure.”

Kakaley posted 280 wins this season at Pocono and finished ahead of runner-up George Napolitano Jr. by 15 victories. Kakaley has won four driving titles at Pocono in his career, first in 2011 and now his three in a row.

“It feels good,” said Kakaley, who joined Napolitano as the only drivers to capture at least three consecutive titles at Pocono since 1993. “I think this is my 15th year at Pocono, and to get on a little bit of a roll and win it a few years in a row is special. I live close to here; it’s my home. It’s definitely a goal of mine every year.

“Once you get a taste of it, you want to keep going.”

One of Kakaley’s top moments this season came at Pocono when Sweet Beach Life won the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes championship for 3-year-old male pacers from post eight at odds of 49-1. But his success wasn’t limited to the northeast Pennsylvania oval as he captured the New York Sire Stakes championship for sophomore male pacers with Howlenthehills, also from post eight, and Aria Invitational Pace with Desperate Man at Yonkers.

The victories at Yonkers were on Sept. 7, followed two days later by Sweet Beach Life’s win.

“That stretch of days was probably the highlight of the year,” Kakaley said. “I’ve had some good horses that I got to drive.”

Other top wins for Kakaley this year have included the Paul Revere Pace at Plainridge Park and a division of the Empire Breeders Classic at Tioga Downs with Howlenthehills and the Robert J. Kane Memorial Invitational at Batavia Downs with Desperate Man.

Kakaley entered Tuesday fifth in wins among North American drivers, with 530. He ranked sixth in purses, less than $79,000 behind Scott Zeron in fourth. He has topped 500 victories and $9 million in purses for three consecutive years.

“To get to $10 million this year was my goal,” Kakaley said. “It’s going to be close. We’ll see what happens.”

Kakaley is fourth in the driver standings at Yonkers, which will continue racing this year through Dec. 20. Following the meet, Kakaley will begin about a month respite from the daily grind.

“You just adapt and get used to it,” Kakaley said about his hectic schedule. “But getting toward the end, it’s been a long year and a lot of miles. I’ll just recharge the batteries until Yonkers starts back (in 2025) and spend time with the family, which I don’t get to do a lot during the summer. It will be good to have a little break.”

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA