Harness: Profile of trainer Edwin Quevedo

What kind of car do you drive?

Gray Dodge.

Favorite dinner meal? Snack?

Baked Chicken; Peanuts.

What is your favorite track to race at? Why?

Meadowlands -- My horses stay sound over the track and they go so fast. The horses are very happy there and have done well.

What is your favorite big event in racing?

Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian.

How often is racing on your mind?

All the time.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing?

Play basketball with my 13-year-old son or take my kids to lunch.

What is your favorite sport to watch? Team?

Soccer -- Barcelona.

What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don't know?

I started in Thoroughbred racing and for like six years I was a second trainer at Santa Anita and Hollywood Park.

What is one word that describes harness racing for you?

Everything. Harness racing is everything for me.

How did you get started in the sport?

I bought my first horse in about 2007 or 2008, then I bought my second horse, and I did pretty good. I was a groom at the time and did everything with those horses but I didn't have a license so someone else trained.

What is the best advice you've ever gotten about harness racing?

If you can buy cheap horses and make them better you'll make good money.

What was your favorite moment in harness racing?

When Heza Real Diamond won at The Meadowlands in 1:48 [actual time 1:48 4/5]. That was one of the best miles in my life. He's an amazing and fast horse, but it is complicated to make him stay straight.

Which is the best horse you've ever trained?

Either Heza Real Diamond or Mach N Cheese. Mach N Cheese is trying to qualify for the Borgata final.

You came east in October 2020. Why did you make the move from the Cal Expo/Running Aces circuit?

Cal Expo has good weather but the money is low. Minnesota is nice too, but I always wanted to try The Meadowlands. I thought about it for almost a year and made the decision.

You are tied for 5th in the trainer standings at The Meadowlands this year. Did you think such quick success was possible?

No -- When I first came I just wanted to win a race. Everybody told me The Meadowlands was too tough, but it really isn't that tough. I've definitely won more than I thought.

Williams Hernandez also came from the same circuit. Did his decision affect yours?

He's my friend and we worked together in California. He told me to try it here and I also saw him do well here, too.

You and your wife Fabiola own a bunch of the horses you race. How important is it for a trainer to own horses they train?

I think it is good. It can be more expensive, but you can also make a little more money. The move has been expensive so it helps to make more as an owner.

Right now you are participating in overnight races. Do you envision trying stakes races in the future?

Yeah, if somebody gives me some nice horses. I'm getting more owners now and I plan on buying some babies from the sales, either by myself or with partners.

Is there one stakes race that you are hoping to win?

My dream right now is to win the Borgata with Mach N Cheese. I know there is tough competition. I always watched the Levy [former name of Borgata] on TV and now I get to race in it.

How many horses are in your barn and where do you stable?

22 -- Gaitway.

You've been using 23-year-old newcomer Tyler Miller on some of your horses. How did that come about?

He's a good friend who would come around to the barn and ask to get some drives, so I told him I would give him some chances. The mare he started with [Gottalovemyshadow] is very easy to drive and he's done good with her. I also have a new owner named Steve Heimbecker who wanted to give Tyler some chances.

What is the biggest difference between racing out west versus on the east coast?

There are better horses here and the competition is better.

How do the top horses at Cal Expo compare to horses at The Meadowlands?

Heza Real Diamond used to win in short fields every week at Cal Expo in the Open from post 10. He was one of the best horses over there. He was in Non-winners $15,000 last week here. I'd say most of the top horses there fit at the $15,000 claiming level at The Meadowlands.

If you could choose any horse in history to train, which horse would it be and why?

Somebeachsomewhere or Always B Miki. They were both two of the best and very fast. Hopefully I'll find one like them.

If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be?

I wouldn't change anything.

Time for the stretch drive:

Best Horse You Ever Saw: Always B Miki.

Best Driver Ever: There are a lot of good drivers. I think a good horse makes a good driver, though sometimes it can be the other way around.

Lasix -- Yes or No?: Yes.

Favorite TV Show?: I don't get the chance to watch much TV. Sometimes I'll watch a telenovela with my wife.

Trotters or Pacers?: Pacers.