Weller holding on to Hoosier training title

Working in a factory for 16 years, Mike Weller knew there had to be a more enjoyable way to earn a living. While punching the time clock each day, he began working with colts and found a passion. Years later, Weller is the leading trainer at Hoosier Park with one week remaining in the 2007 season.

The road to Indiana for Weller began in Cleveland. In 1998, he started working with six or seven horses for owner Henry Schulte. After a few years, his barn expanded to 20 horses and he was training for several owners.

Three years ago, he sent seven or eight horses to Hoosier Park. The 2006 season was his first stabled exclusively at Indiana’s first pari-mutuel track. Other tracks Weller has competed at is Scioto Downs and Raceway Park. Julie Lucas has been working for Weller for three years, and has been pivotal to his success.

Perhaps the most important variable to the success of any stable is selecting the correct class for each horse. The Weller stable has made this an art, finding a favorable class for nearly each of the 15 horses stabled at Hoosier Park.

“The best thing you can do is put a horse in where they can do well,” said Weller. “Mark Grismore told me if your horses aren’t getting claimed they are in the wrong class. I learned a lot of what I know about horse racing from that man.”

Weller is hoping his success in the state of Indiana continues in the fall when he moves his operation to Indiana Downs. He recently bought a house and moved his family to the Hoosier State.

Weller currently has 30 wins and a three-win advantage over Sara Haynes who is second in the leading trainer standings. The battle for this year’s title is likely to go down to Hoosier Cup Night Saturday with seven trainers tallying more than 20 wins through Saturday, June 23. (Hoosier Park)

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