Ron Burke surpasses 1,000 wins again

Hightstown, NJ – Hall of Fame trainer Ron Burke has surpassed 1,000 wins in a calendar year for the fourth time in his harness racing career, picking up victories 1,001 and 1,002 on Monday at Northfield Park. One day earlier, he reached 1,000 thanks to The Wild Card’s triumph at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Burke previously exceeded 1,000 wins in 2018, 2014, and 2013. He is the only trainer in history to win at least 1,000 races in a year, and his total of 1,093 in 2014 stands as the sport’s record for a trainer.

The 53-year-old Burke also is on the verge of surpassing $22 million in purses in a year for the fourth time and is within $5 million of reaching $300 million in career purses. He has exceeded $20 million in a year on nine occasions. Again, he is the only conditioner to ever reach that level.

Burke is wrapping up his 14th consecutive year as harness racing’s leading trainer for both wins and purses. Lifetime, he has won 13,315 races and just over $295 million in purses, both records for a trainer.

Second in career wins among trainers is Virgil Morgan Jr., with a total approaching 7,200. Second in lifetime purses is Jimmy Takter, who retired with $130 million to his credit.

by Ken Weingartner, for the USTA