Danny Carey

Back to Drivers On Tour

"In Over My Head"

It didn't take long for local boy Danny Carey to leave a mark on the Wisconsin driving colony. This 23 year old began his driving career just three years ago right here in Mineral Point, and has already earned a top ten driving finish in the State of Wisconsin.

It's no wonder Danny caught the racing bug. His grandfather, Wayne Carey, owned the great Speedy Rodney, one of the greatest trotters of all time. His father co-owned 2009 Windy City Pace winner In Over My Head. He was taught right here at this very oval. "I was able to learn the hands on aspect of racing from some of the local horsemen at Mineral Point," Carey said. "Fast Eddy Cockroft and Dan "Pooch" Clark taught me a lot, and helped me get started driving and training their horses."

When asked which drivers Danny looks up to, he responded, "On the national level, I'm always watching guys like Tim Tetrick, Andy Miller, and Brian Sears. I talk with drivers my age that drive on the Chicago Circuit, guys like Marcus Miller and John DeLong (the eldest brother of today's driver Ben DeLong). I try to pick up tips from them whenever I can. There really isn't one particular style I try to copy. All of the good drivers are versatile, with some more aggressive than others so I try not to be one dimensional. Driving style is often times dictated by the horse I'm driving."

Danny doesn't get much horse time anymore these days as he is a full time credit analyst at a community bank in Cambridge, Wisconsin. He wanted to let everyone know, "Currently, we don't have any loans available to finance the purchase of a race horse, but I'm still trying to convince upper management of this unique 'investment."

Great Getaway (in today's finale) is listed as Danny's favorite trotter to sit behind. "He can be a handful behind the gate, but he can leave with the best of them, or race from behind." (Well Danny, you sure didn't give up any driving strategy there!) Getaway also ranks as Danny's favorite win. "Last year in the FFA Trot at Wautoma...He was 3 wide the last 1/4 of a mile and won in a photo finish with all five trotters in the race within a length or so."

On the pacing side of things, Danny's favorite drive has been Avalon's Z Tam. "He is one of the nicest horses to be around in the barn. I like driving him so much because he is a big horse that can grind it out. He doesn't need a good trip to win, which makes my jog a lot easier." (Editor's note: Danny is driving Fox Valley Windy against Avalon in today's FFA Pace...Bettor's may want to use that information before you Pick-A-Winner!)

Fans are welcome to come to the barn area after the races to meet "Dashing" Danny Carey (as pegged by race announcer Buck Weaver.) If you bring your program, you might just get an autograph!

Click HERE for the printable version.