John Remley

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"He's got that contagious laughter"

Everyone likes to see a local boy who has done well, and Monroe is no exception. Formerly of Evansville, trainer/driver John Remley has called Monroe home for quite some time after marrying local Flowers By Kim owner, Kim Remley.

John began his driver career 19 years ago in a qualifying race at Quad City Downs in East Moline, Illinois. From there, he has been a staple in the Midwest driving colony as he criss-crossed states in a quest to satisfy that thirst of victory.

Although he trained his own horses, many of his drives were "catch drives" (Translation: Driving horses that are owned and trained by other people.) John scored his first victory in 1992 just down the road in Darlington aboard the trotter Peter Domar. Throughout the years, Rembo has driven at county fairs in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Iowa.

Remley has spent ten years among the top ten drivers in the State of Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Harness Horse Association named him Driver of the Year twice – once in 2003 and back again in 2006. In between that time, he was also named Runner-Up Driver of the Year in 2004.

Perhaps one of the Remley Stable's fastest horses was a gelded son of Incredible Finale named Overmaster. Despite being plagued with injuries throughout his career, this horse knew how to win races. In 2005, Overmaster was victorious in 10 of his 15 starts throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. Ultimately that season, Overmaster was named Wisconsin's Pacer of the Year.

Although the county fair scene is where John spends most of his time in the sulky, he as driven at numerous pari-mutuel race tracks throughout the Midwest. From Illinois tracks such as Quad City Downs, Maywood Park, Balmoral Park, and Sportsmans Park to Prairie Meadows in Iowa and various tracks in Michigan, John has raced on every type of surface imaginable.

Remley has a sense of humor matched by none other. Back in the barn area, you can see him cracking jokes with fellow horsemen while telling tales of his 19 year long career in harness racing. If you can't see him, just wait a few minutes and you will hear an infectious laughter that will undoubtedly have the entire barn LOL. (Translation: Laughing out Loud!) Click HERE for the printable version.