by Chris Lomon

It is certainly fitting that Jennifer Main’s driving win came with a horse named Bold Decision.

Six races after finishing third in her first official drive on June 14, 2021, Main took to the track with a then 13-year-old pacer who went on to race 351 times for various connections.

On this day, over the half-mile oval in Paulding, OH, the pair took on four rivals in a Lady Series event.

Sent on his way as the 6-5 choice, Bold Decision was guided to the front by Main and then carved out sensible fractions, reaching the half in 1:00.2.

Three-quarters of a length on top at the three-quarter mark, the Crystal Terrell-owned gelding crossed the wire a 1 ¾-length winner in a time of 2:01.2.

Main was met by a euphoric greeting from the group that had assembled for the win photo, a gathering that included her mother, Linda, and father, Steve.

Also present for the picture was Bob Brock, a security guard at the racetrack and long-time family friend, who can often be seen wearing a hat with the words ‘Jennifer Main’s #1 fan’ on it.

“I was on the front, and we were coming around the last turn,” Main said. “I remember turning my head at the top of the stretch and I was kind of in shock. I thought, ‘Holy crap! I’m going to win this race.’ I remember that one plain as day. I was so happy to do it with him; he means so much to me. The same owner had him as a yearling and she still owns him to this day. He was broke to be a riding horse and he’s living a good life. So, to do that with him will always be a special memory.”

The native of South Lyon, MI, fared extremely well in her first year in the sulky, a season that yielded a 7-5-6 line from 30 starts. The following year, she won six races, posted 30 top-three finishes from 68 starts and nearly quadrupled her purse earnings total.

This year, Main has set career-best standards nearly across the board, including wins, top-three finishes, and purse earnings. She was recently named the recipient of the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association’s Rising Star award.

All of it is even more impressive considering sitting behind standardbreds had never been on her radar.

“My parents both have a stable of horses,” Main said. “I have always been around horses and the races, but driving wasn’t something I had given any thought to.”

One day, however, that all changed in an instant.

“I was in Cleveland, and I decided, ‘I’m going to drive,’” she said. “It just struck me. My mom is stabled in the same barn as Lanny Merriman, [champion driver] Aaron Merriman’s dad. When mom isn’t racing in Michigan, she races in Ohio. I was in there and I started talking to Lanny, telling him I wanted to start driving at the fairs.

“After I had watched Bold Decision compete in the Ladies Pace races in Ohio the year before, there was something about him that always kind of drew me to him and it just hit me that day. That’s how it all started.”

Among her early needs was a set of driving colors, something that proved to be an easy task to acquire.

Main was handed, more specifically, tossed, a fashionable-looking set that immediately commanded her attentive gaze.

“I got colors from Lanny,” she said. “He went into his tack room and started digging out colors and started throwing them at me. I got about three sets from him. I’m still driving wearing [driver] Ryan Stahl’s helmet. That’s how it all went with that story.”

Main foresaw a career on the fair circuit, but that would eventually change.

She is undoubtedly happy it did.

“I just like it,” she said. “I really enjoy it and driving against the guys. I have always been around the tracks in Michigan my whole life, so the older guys, they have known me since I was born, and the younger guys, I have known since they were born. I am comfortable with them, and I get along well with everyone, for the most part.”

As for goals, Main, for now, isn’t preoccupied with compiling a list of numbers she would like to reach, or places she would like to ply her trade.

Instead, it’s the simple pleasure of sitting in the sulky that fuels her enjoyment of the sport.

“I don’t really have any set goals,” Main said. “I just love the thrill of competing, doing my best and having fun with it all. I picked up some pretty nice horses to drive this year and I appreciate that. If I could pick up a few more, that would be amazing. I love driving older horses. I feel I can bring out the best in them. It’s fun driving those old, class horses. They’ll get you around there.”

When it comes to assessing her best qualities in the race bike, Main pointed out a penchant for making it tough on her fellow drivers if she can secure an early lead.

Harnessing a horse’s speed on the front end and having plenty left in the tank for the stretch drive never fails to put a smile on her face.

“Usually, when I get to the front, I don’t get beat,” she said. “But that isn’t always easy. I would say 95 per cent of my wins have come on the front end. If you can get one who likes to leave, it’s a great feeling.”

Main, who teamed with 10-year-old pacer Anoche for multiple wins in 2023, is hoping for more of those moments once the page turns to the 2024 season.

“It has been a good year, and you always want to carry that forward,” Main said. “That is what I am looking to do. There is always something to look forward to.”

And, in a year defined by personal best numbers, there are also fond recollections to take stock of.

Main’s most memorable moment of 2023 came at the beginning of November at Northville Downs.

“I think the one win that stands out for me this year was with a horse trained and co-owned by my mom, Would You Believe,” she said.

Spoiler alert: Main and the pacer were on top just seconds after the starter car sped away.

“He is the laziest horse in the world,” she said with a laugh. “After the race, I told my mom that I earned that one. I was so tired. I felt I needed oxygen after the race. He is a tough horse, but we got it done.”

A familiar refrain for Jennifer Main.