Harness: Brian Sears returns to the bike after three-year absence

Astute followers of harness racing will have noticed a familiar name on the program at Pocono Downs on Tuesday, July 21. For the first time since November 18, 2023 at The Meadowlands, Hall of Famer driver Brian Sears competed in a pari-mutuel race.

Sears drove two horses for trainer Hunter Oakes, first finishing last in the field of eight with a headstrong Salazar Returns as a 35-1 longshot and then winning by 12 lengths with 1-2 favorite Celebrity Hunter a few races later. It was Sears’ first victory since steering Magnifico Hanover in the International Stallion Stakes at The Red Mile on October 7, 2023.

“I was just having a little fun,” said Sears, who made it clear there was no official comeback in the works. “I'm baby racing one I own [Papi’s Bride] on Wednesday [at Pocono]. Hunter had a couple in and he said Tyler [Buter] is not going to be here. He's got Saratoga. So, it was a good, easy fit for me to drive.”

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Sears did compete in a couple of qualifiers at Sunshine Meadows in Florida back in March but the appearance at Pocono was his first real racing action in over three years. After over 55,000 starts and 10,424 wins, the 35-year grind of racing every day was simply too much.

“I was getting worn out with the travel and stuff like that,” said Sears. “The demands of racing at the top level in those types of races was just wearing on me. I just needed to get away.”

Despite the long layoff, the 58-year-old said it was just like riding a bike again after years on the sidelines.

“It felt pretty good. The first one I went with was a little grabbier than you'd like, that's for sure. But what are you going to do? The second one was a trotter that's been on the front end the last three starts or so and just needed a little helmet time,” said Sears. “You want to do a good job and that's what we were trying to accomplish with the horse, so it all worked out.”

To his surprise, Sears said his old locker at Pocono was still there and his colors were waiting for him. That’s a good thing since he said most of his old colors were tossed out over the last few years.

Sears admitted his immediate driving goals center around Papi’s Bride and evaluating her. He wouldn’t commit to becoming her regular pilot but added that he would know more after sitting behind her in the qualifier.

As to whether he would consider taking on additional work, he didn’t close the door on the possibility but also made it clear he wasn’t looking for a full-time job.

“I really don't want to get anything rolling,” said Sears. “It was fun to have something to think about and look forward to. You know what I mean? It's the one thing that I do well.”

Whether fans of Sears – known to many as “The White Knight” – get to see him drive more remains unknown. It is clear that he still knows his way around the track and into the winner’s circle, so it would be no surprise to see him pop up here and there if the right opportunity presented itself in the future.