Brodie Le Cain savors first career driving win
by Chris Lomon
Brodie Le Cain saved his best for last, in more ways than one, on the evening of Aug. 2 at Georgian Downs.
Four dashes after he earned a bronze with Shemars Lady Lucy in the second race at the five-eighths oval in Innisfil, ON, Le Cain, 24, was in the race bike of Barefoot Belle in Saturday’s curtain-closing pace.
His familiarity with the bay mare was somewhat limited.
“This was the first time I drove her in a race,” said Le Cain, of the daughter of Betting Line—Barefoot Beauty, trained and owned by Bruno Lacroce. “Starting out, I wasn’t thinking too much about the race. We were 15-1 in the morning odds and 11-1 going behind the gate, so my first goal was to give her the best trip possible.”
Fifth of eight through the half, Barefoot Belle, who arrived at the race off a sixth one week earlier, was then guided to the outside by Le Cain. After three quarters in 1:26.2, they had improved to fourth.
But there was still work to be done down the lane.
With the finish line drawing closer, Barefoot Belle and Le Cain were gaining, but not quite on even terms with the leader.
When they hit the wire – in 1:56.4 – the young driver wasn’t convinced they had got there in time.
“At first, I didn’t think we got it. I knew it was extremely close. I was the last one to pull up, just to see if we did get the win.”
And then Le Cain found out he had won his first race.
“It felt amazing when our number went up. It takes time to get your first win and there are always ups and downs before you do. I hadn’t had a lot of luck leading up to that moment, so getting there with a longshot made it all the better.”
So, too, did winning with someone who has been a staunch supporter throughout Le Cain’s journey from the barn to the race bike.
“Bruno helped me get my driving license – he gave me four or five qualifiers and also gave me an opportunity to drive for him at Kawartha Downs.
“My girlfriend, Alexane Laroche, and her father, Jean Laroche, gave me my first couple of drives on their horse Savoir Duharas, which really helped get me rolling.”
Lacroce and the Laroches are part of a large group of horsepeople who have been in Le Cain’s corner from day one.
“I am extremely lucky,” Le Cain said. “My dad, Scott, who drove before he was involved in a bad accident, has been a huge part of my development. My first job in the business was working for [trainer] Shawn Steacy when I was in high school. He taught me a lot. Actually, his driving helmet is the one I wear because that was the first helmet I ever got. Shawn and Mark [Steacy] also bought me my first driving colors, and those were what I wore when I won my first race. To win my first race with Shawn’s helmet and those colors was nice – he taught me a lot, to keep my head up and be patient. Shawn will watch my drives and give me helpful feedback.”
As do fellow horsemen Chris Matthews, Anthony MacDonald, Gregg McNair, and Bruce Richardson.
“When I really started to learn and sit in the race bike was when COVID happened,” Brodie said. “I moved to the U.S. to work with Anthony because so many tracks had shut down and there wasn’t much going on. Anthony offered me a job to work for him in Ohio, so I stayed there for four years. He taught me a lot. Win, lose or draw, he’d always give me tips.
“After I left the U.S., I was back in Ontario and started working for Chris and Gregg – they helped me get my feet under me. They look after me, gave me qualifiers, and opportunities.”
It was Richardson, a lifetime winner of 3,675 races as a driver, along with 570 more in the training category, who provided Le Cain with advice that still resonates with the latter to this day.
“The best advice he has given me is, ‘It doesn’t cost you anything to pay attention.’ When you are racing, you are going up against eight, nine or 10 other drivers, and everyone is in their own zone, with their own game plan. It’s competitive. In the blink of an eye, anything can change within the course of a race. Constantly being aware of what is going on around you not only keeps you safe, but it also allows you to react to the flow of the race. I always keep that in the back of my mind when I go out to post parade.”
Widespread support and welcome words of wisdom continue to be integral to Le Cain’s development in the sulky.
Now, not long removed from his first career wins, he is hoping to build on his milestone success.
In this instance, it’s as easy as C, B, A.
“I am a ‘C’ level licensed driver, so I want to move up to a ‘B’ license and eventually, to an ‘A.’ I want to achieve that sooner rather than later. I’d like to start focusing on achieving milestones, 100 wins, things like that. In the long term, I’d eventually like to move to the U.S. and build a career there. But I am also mindful that you have to take things one step at a time. You have to work hard every day and have an open mind.”
That approach keeps Brodie both busy and active.
A sedentary life is not for him – but the driver’s seat most certainly is.
“I like working out and staying in shape for my driving. I don’t like spending time on the couch or playing video games. If I have a night off, I go to the races and hang out with friends and drivers. I don’t like sitting still.”
What he does enjoy is the thrill of the action and the feeling of winning.
It always keeps Brodie coming back for more.
“You want to succeed, but you don’t want to be too hard on yourself at the same time,” Brodie said. “Getting that first win shows you what you are capable of and what you need to do to experience more of those moments and where you can go.”
