The season has changed and with it comes promise for many in pseudo-hibernation over the winter. Trainer Jeff Gregory, once a regular in the driving colony but now a fixture developing young and promising trotters, sent out nearly 25 percent of his stable in qualifying action on Wednesday (April 4) at The Downs at Mohegan Sun Pocono. It was a mixture of young and older, and Gregory seemed excited if not a bit reserved about the next steps. “I had a couple of aged horses and a couple of 3-year-olds,” said Gregory on his way back home from the track. “The 3-year-olds were lightly raced last year and I’m happy where they are right now.” The Donato Hanover-sired filly Century Empress made but one start last year for Gregory but came back strongly with a 2:02 1/5 tally over the sloppy five-eighths mile track on Wednesday. Nobody Panic, a filly by Crazed, was timed in the identical clocking while finishing third in a separate qualifier. “I’m not sure how far they’ll advance,” said Gregory. “If not stakes horses I think they will be good racehorses.” With 17 in training, Gregory has a rare opportunity not afforded to some trainers in the sport. “I own a piece of about half the horses,” said Gregory. “But I have a great group of veteran owners with me and they support me and understand when a horse needs time off.” The 5-year-old Truemass Volo took a 1:53 2/5 record last year and returned on Wednesday with a solid 1:58 mile for Gregory, indicating that he could be ready for another solid campaign. The son of Muscle Massive raced into December last year and appears fresh. Newcastle, a veteran that Gregory picked up last year, is a consistent son of Cantab Hall that was originally developed by the late Jim Raymer. In 2017, Gregory’s Tight Lines swept through the SOA of New York Bonus Trot series capturing the $100,000 final as well. Trainer Benny Eggers conditioned Icanflylikeanangel in Florida over the winter and sent him to Gregory for this year’s edition. “It was a sloppy track and it’s hard to evaluate what a 1:59 and change mile means, but he raced well,” said Gregory of the altered son of Archangel, who won by over six lengths in the first leg of the series. Icanflylikeanangel finished out his sophomore campaign with a second-place finish in the New York Sire Stakes Championship at Yonkers. [Editor's Note: Icanflylikeanangel finished third in the Bonus Trot on April 10.] Going from a full-time catch-driver to a most of the time trainer has had its risks and rewards for Gregory. On the reward side is the ability to select the horses he wants to train and the ones he wishes to drive. “I’ll drive all of my own stock,” said Gregory. “If I’m up at the track and driving anyway there are some people I will drive for if they ask.” His obvious ability sitting behind trotters over the years has led to Gregory landing some choice stakes worthy drives. Yet as a trainer he relishes some free time that training only delivers. “I have to say there are days a look forward to going home at night and relaxing,” said Gregory. Still, driving quality horses is still something anyone can get excited about and Gregory seemed as enthusiastic to be driving a 4-year-old mare this year that doesn’t happen to train in his stable. “I’ve been driving regularly for Steve Pratt,” said Gregory. “He’s got Barn Bella coming back this year and he’s staked her pretty extensively.” For those outside of New York, Barn Bella is a daughter of Conway Hall that captured the New York Sire Stakes Championship finals as a 2 and 3-year-old with Gregory a most regular pilot. With 18 wins in 24 starts as a freshman and sophomore collectively, the filly also managed to set a 1:51 3/5 record at Vernon Downs in 2017. Barn Bella’s propensity at winning races is certainly something that could translate well onto the Grand Circuit and you can expect Gregory to get the most out of her ability. Getting back to the home front, Gregory believes he has some very nice 2-year-olds in the making but is cautious to get ahead of himself. “They are going well right now and I’m happy with their progress,” Gregory said, “But until you get them out there racing it’s hard to say exactly how good they will be.” Gregory suggests that his youngsters have been in the 2:20 range mostly and that puts them on schedule to be ready when baby races commence towards summer. Keeping close to home is a big part of Gregory’s game and his freshmen are eligible to the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania programs. While he protected the names of his most precocious fillies, Gregory did point to a Cantab Hall filly and a Credit Winner-sired filly that have been leading the way. A USTA Director, Gregory was asked at the recent meetings if anything could be done with the resting process required to gain a trainer’s license. While he had some thoughts of his own, there didn’t seem to be much consensus on abandoning the current format. “I think all we can hope for is that people are honest,” said Gregory of the process that requires signatures to support a trainer’s application. What Gregory can’t understand about the sport is why there are so few objections by drivers in a race. “I just don’t understand it,” said Gregory. “You look at the thoroughbreds and there are a ton more than the standardbreds.” The authenticity of competition is based on the public believing those in battle are playing on separate sides and will do anything it takes to win. “Just look on any Sunday in the NFL,” said Gregory. “When an offensive lineman flinches there are seven guys on defense pointing a finger.” Gregory wouldn’t mind it if more drivers and trainers took the initiative to speak out when they see something on or off the track that isn’t right.