Greg Robinson got hooked on the trotters and pacers in the mid 1990s and has managed to combine his work and his passion as the harness product manager for TrackMaster.
 
Earning the moniker TrackMaster Greg, he has worked for that company since 2000 and has also owned horses with his boss David Siegel for the last seven years.  Among the solid performers they have campaigned during this period are Wastin Time and Sea Song.
 
“I lived in San Mateo and used to get over to Bay Meadows when they were racing on Friday nights back in the mid 90s,” Robinson related.  “Even though it was thoroughbreds, I found it was the harness racing they were showing via simulcast that got my attention.”
 
After graduating with a business degree from Santa Clara University, Greg took a position at TrackMaster, where he is now an account manager in addition to being the harness honcho.  He’s proud of having developed the TrackMaster ratings for the trotters and pacers, which have proven to be popular.
 
As far as getting into the ownership arena, it was longtime owner and sometimes driver Siegel who made it easy for Greg to make the transition from fan to having his name on the program.
 
“Dave and I talked about it for a while, then I went in partners with him on Wastin Time, who was a real nice one for us.  I guess we’ve had about 25 horses, most of which we claimed.
 
“That first win by Wastin Time was really special, something I’ll never forget.  We also did real well with a horse named Sea Song, who definitely ranks as one of my favorites.”
 
Robinson was asked about the differences between betting on a winner and having one that he owns.
 
“I get quite a bit of satisfaction from both, but they’re different,” he replied.  “To be honest, sometimes I actually get more from picking and betting on a winner than from one I own.”
 
Greg has definitely touched on one of the things that make this game so great, as you don’t have to necessarily get your picture taken to get just as much of a thrill from a winner as the owners, driver and trainer.  It’s available to all of us.
 
Live racing resumes at Cal-Expo on Thursday (June 17) and continues through Saturday (June 19).  Post-time on Thursday is at 6:15 p.m. (PDT).  Post-time on Friday (June 18) is at 6:20 p.m.  Post-time on Saturday (Closing night/Winter-Spring meet) is at 6:40 p.m.  On Thursday night, Cal-Expo offers a complete Lasagna dinner, which includes salad and bread, for just $3.00.