Harness: Ahle's star continues to rise at the Meadowlands and beyond

For many in this sport, arriving on the scene as a regular catch driver comes because of strong family roots. Generally, we see offspring of leading trainers or drivers practicing their craft over time and then given the opportunity to race competitively once they come of age or experience. In the case of Johnathan Ahle, the 26-year-old has rapidly climbed the ladder of success in a rather different way, but heading into this weekend's card at the Meadowlands he appears on track for a big career.

"I worked for Shaun Vallee for seven or eight years," said Ahle of his experience in the horse business. "It was a small stable, and I did pretty much everything to help out."

It was Vallee's guidance that first led to Ahle's appearance on the racetrack in public view. "He encouraged me to enter the amateur events," Ahle said.

Unlike most of the amateur drivers, Ahle was young enough to consider the experience and join the ranks of the professionals. That's what he chose to do.

"Last August [2022] I decided to stop racing in the amateurs," Ahle said.

The decision put him on the list of catch drivers to be called upon, and after driving more than 600 horses in 2022, he will break the 2,000 mark with his drives this weekend at the Meadowlands. He also owns a more than respectable 13.5 win percentage

Asked about the rapid acceleration of his career, Ahle said, "It's been better than I could have expected."

Perhaps that's even a bit of an understatement knowing just how difficult it is for any driver to catch on with the training public and gain confidence. For Ahle the full-time gig of catch driver didn't make him quit his day job but has certainly given him new flexibility. Currently he's driving at Rosecroft, Freehold, Harrah's Philadelphia and the Meadowlands.

"I'm going to be at the Meadowlands on weekends. With some of the other drivers taking some time off, I'm hoping there will be more opportunity," Ahle said.

For Ahle the numbers picked up radically on Friday night alone. While initially named on just three horses, his workload expanded when he added an additional six mounts as driver changes were announced.

"I've been working for Noel [Daley] during the days, but he's kind of overstaffed right now so I'm just driving," said Ahle. "I'm going to keep driving at Rosecroft and maybe when Harrah's Philadelphia closes, I'll try Dover Downs."

The call for Ahle's services is obviously because he can drive, and that is something the New Jersey native has proven over the course of the last 18 months. It's one thing being successful against amateurs but quite different when you race against the best.

"I try to watch a lot of races," said Ahle when asked how he has developed a driving strategy. "You can handicap races and have a Plan A going into a race, but you have to have a Plan B as well."

With 271 wins and over $2.7 million in earnings this year from the horses he's driven, the numbers suggest that Ahle has not only lived up to expectations but perhaps has done well enough to encourage trainers to give him better horses, leading to even more success in the new year.

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On Friday night he was optimistic about the chances of Moonwards Hanover in the fifth race.

"Anytime he draws inside he races well," said Ahle of Moonwards Hanover, who drew the pole in a TrackMaster Rating 71 event. Moonwards Hanover ships in from Freehold but Ahle, who has driven the horse regularly, feels the move to the mile track will not hinder his chances.

Ahle has had good success with trotters and perhaps had his biggest career moment this past Saturday (November 25) when he guided Paulina Hanover to a fifth-place finish in the $428K Goldsmith Maid at the Meadowlands.

"That was pretty cool," said Ahle of the experience. "Andy [McCarthy] had been driving her regularly, but then I got a chance to drive her a few times when he was out of town."

The experience in the bike led trainer Noel Daley to choose Ahle for the assignment when McCarthy found himself behind race-winner Pizzelle.

"I'm grateful for Noel and the owners for putting me down," said Ahle.

On Friday Ahle will sit behind another trotter, with Massive Matter (race seven, post seven) looking for his third straight win in a non-winners of $7,500 last five class.

"He's been very good racing first-over and winning in his last two races," said Ahle. "It's a bit of a step up, but I expect him to race well."

On Saturday night Ahle was listed initially on three horses, with Caviart Davia (race six, post two) facing six rivals in the $23,000 Winners Over event for filly and mare pacers.

"I've put her on the front end a few times," said Ahle. "She's up in class and I'm going to have to give her an easier trip."

Caviart Davia hails from top trainer Tony Alagna's stable, and Alagna has entrusted Ahle to pilot others from his barn at Harrah's Philadelphia and the Meadowlands. Caviart Davia gave Ahle his fastest career victory when she paced to a 1:49 2/5 victory at the Meadowlands on October 28.

"I drove Energetic Hanover for Tony at Harrah's Philadelphia," said Ahle about his other sub-1:50 winning credit.

The classy Ignatius A returns to action on Saturday for trainer Noel Daley with Ahle listed to drive in the 12th race.

"His race before last [October 27 at Harrah's Philadelphia] was his best race all year," said Ahle of the third-place finish in Open company. "He came home in 26 seconds."

Following that mile Ignatius A was listless in his next start, with Daley giving him a few weeks off before racing him in a qualifying mile last Saturday (November 25) at the Meadowlands.

"He looked good qualifying and I expect him to be good on Saturday," said Ahle about Ignatius A, a career winner on 40 occasions that finds a bit of a softer spot than he's been up against.

With the top eight drivers at the Meadowlands this year absent on Friday (five are away Saturday) and likely to miss plenty of time over the next six weeks, Ahle has a real chance to expand his brand. It all starts with a pair of 14-race cards that get underway at 6:20 P.M. (ET).