As Enrico Robinson closes in on his 60th birthday later this year he’ll also be approaching a full year as the listed trainer for owner Tom Pollock on the East Coast. It was a role he never anticipated would happen after more than four decades of working as a caretaker or second trainer for others. Now he operates a large barn that competes at some of the top tracks in the country. Robinson won more races over the last month of 2025 (20) then he did in the previous 10 years and he’ll certainly pass the 100-win mark for his career in the month of March. So how does a journeyman from Mississippi emerge from obscurity to the Meadowlands spotlight? Clearly some of it boils down to the kindness of others, and Robinson was gracious enough to share his journey with us this week. Enjoy!   How did you get started in harness racing? My grandmother’s cousin [Walter Thomas] got me involved when I was about 12 or 13 years old in Mississippi. I was walking by one day, saw some horses going around the track and thought that I liked it. I didn’t know that the guy was related to my grandmother until later. Was Mississippi a hotbed for harness racing back then in the 1970s? They do it there but not like here. I knew that if I wanted to pursue it I would have to leave Mississippi. Did you know immediately that harness racing was what you would do with your life? Pretty much once I started I knew I wanted to train horses. Right now you are working for Jeff Cullipher. How long have you been with him and who did you work for previously? Technically I work for owner Tom Pollack now. I’m here [East Coast] and Jeff is in Indiana. Jeff hired me about five to six years ago but I’ve known him, his father and his mother for years back in Kentucky. They wanted to open a stable in New Jersey and someone told them I was here. We got to talking and that is how it started. Before that I worked for Bob Stewart in Kentucky, A. Scott Harris who passed away, with Greg Peck when he had Muscle Hill, Jeff Bamond and Chris Height to name a few. Since Jeff/Tom started putting you down as trainer in late 2025 has there been any change for you? It has been unbelievable. I can’t say enough good words about Tom, Jeff and Marc Reynolds. Those guys changed my life. To be down as trainer and for this caliber of horses, it has been a dream of mine and it came true. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Do you like seeing your name in the program? My wife is my biggest fan and she just loves it to death. She is my rock. I’ve been with her six years and we just got married a year ago. You’ve done some driving and some training over the last 40 years. Did you ever consider going out on your own? Not driving so much. I kind of knew that was more for fun. Scott Harris influenced me to get my license but I knew training was what I wanted to do. I usually had a horse of my own on the side to train but an opportunity like this one never came along. What is your favorite track to race at and why? Meadowlands. It is a tough track to win at but it is the highlight of the industry; everybody watches it. What is your favorite thing to do outside of harness racing? Harness racing is my life. My wife will tell you, I just love this. It is a hobby and it is my job. What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know? How dedicated I am to harness racing. What is one word that describes harness racing for you? Excitement – I love the action. What was your best moment in harness racing? Becoming a trainer for Tom Pollack and also having the opportunity to take Muscle Hill to Canada. Who is your favorite horse in the barn? Captain Crusader. Have you ever won a stakes race and are you excited to potentially win some this year? I’ve never won one as a listed trainer. We have a new foreign acquisition named Lusaka that I think is top caliber. I’m looking forward to racing him. He’s getting close. Is Lukasa the horse you think gives you the best shot to win a stakes race? We also have a trotter named Hey Porter that probably has the best shot. He’s my second favorite horse in the barn. How many horses do you have in your barn? Around 54 or 55. As someone who has been involved in the sport since the early 1980s, did you ever think you’d get to where you are now? I never thought in a million years it would happen and it did. I was in tears when they told me. That is how much it meant to me. Tom is an unbelievable owner. He loves the sport and puts everything into it. He’s the best owner I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been around for years. If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be? Do more stuff for the grooms. Most of them work all of their lives with no retirement options. They are a big part of the business and I know our operation couldn’t run without them. I have the best help. I have one guy named Freddy Herrera who is the best guy. He’s my righthand man. He’s a super guy. How do you view the future of harness racing? I think it will always be around even if some feel differently. Time for the stretch drive… Best Horse you ever saw: Muscle Hill, by far. Lasix – Yes or No: Yes. It really helps some horses. Favorite TV Show: I don’t watch much TV; maybe football. Trotters or Pacers: I love trotters.