Rich Fisher

Trenton, NJ — Virgil Morgan Jr. would love nothing more than to kick back, close his eyes and smile as he cherishes becoming only the second trainer in North American harness racing history besides Ron Burke to win 7,000 races.

But Morgan has other things to concern himself with, such as getting his mare Miss You N ready for Monday’s (April 25) $381,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final at Yonkers.

“I really haven’t thought about it,” said Morgan, who reached the milestone April 14 when Tyler Smith drove Family Recipe to victory at Miami Valley Raceway. “I’m bad like that. Some time, some day I’ll step back and reflect on it. There’s so many people that have helped me along the way. I think just a huge thanks to them or I wouldn’t have accomplished it. Hopefully I’ll sit back and enjoy the win some day.”

Since coming to America, Miss You N has won 31 times in 76 starts and earned $513,005. Conrad photo.

For now he is living in the present, and hopes to enjoy another big moment in the Blue Chip. Driven by Dexter Dunn, Miss You N had a first, two close seconds, a third and a fifth in the preliminary rounds. She is coming off a second-place finish in which Gia’s Surreal beat her at the wire.

“I think she raced very respectable,” Morgan said. “She’s a very tactical mare. You can lead with her, you can take her off the pace. She got nosed out at the wire twice by good mares. She’s a real fun horse to train because of her tactical versatility.”

Asked if he was happy with the 8-year-old’s overall performance in the prelims, Morgan chuckled and said “I’m never happy unless they win ‘em all, but I’m glad we made the final. That’s why we took her there, that’s what we prepped her for.

“Anything less than the final would have been very disappointing. Obviously they’re all eight quality mares at Yonkers (in the final). The post and the trip play out in this situation. There’s a lot of mares in there with tactical gate speed. We’ll have to see how it plays out and let Dexter do his job.”

Miss You N drew the five hole for the final, which has produced the most wins (155) at Yonkers this year.

“The five hole is unique in itself,” Morgan said. “I think most five-eighths-mile tracks, it’s a high percentage if not the highest percentage for wins. However this is a half-mile. This is why we have the luxury of Dexter Dunn driving. It’s pretty much in his hands once that gate folds.

“Like I said, the good part about her is she is tactical, she’s not a one-way mare. She’s just a pleasure to train and watch race. Her record speaks for itself. She’s ultra-consistent. She shows up every week and that’s big.”

In looking at the field before the morning line came out, Morgan figured trainer Ron Burke’s Drama Act, driven by George Brennan, to be the favorite after drawing the rail.

“She was one of the favorites going in anyway,” he said.

But it will all come down to the trip.

“Going for that kind of money, everyone seems to drive extremely aggressively,” Morgan said. “They want to get a trip. I don’t think any fractions will be easy in there. Whoever cuts that mile will probably pay the price of the fractions.”

Foaled in New Zealand in 2014, Miss You N is a daughter of Betterthancheddar out of Woman In Black. After winning three times and earning $22,770 in 17 races at home, the mare came to America in 2019 and was trained by Ross Croghan.

In July of 2020, Dana Parham’s Bottom Line Racing and Carl Howard became owners of Miss You N, and brought in Morgan to train. The Ohio Harness Racing Hall of Fame member — arguably the state’s greatest trainer — made a few tweaks and simply enjoyed the experience.

“She’s just got a great attitude,” he said.

Since coming to America, Miss You N has won 31 times in 76 starts and earned $513,005. She has hit the board 56 times.

“I just couldn’t be happier for Dana Parham and Carl Howard,” Morgan said. “They’re partners of mine on numerous horses. I’m just thrilled for those guys. They’re quality owners and they’re passionate about the sport.”

It is passion that has allowed Virgil to reach the coveted 7,000-victory mark. (He had 7,005 as of Thursday).

Virgil Morgan Jr. has earned $63.7 million as a trainer, including consecutive years of more than $4 million in 2007-08, and four other campaigns of earning more than $3 million. Conrad photo.

The 56-year-old got into the sport through his father, Virgil Morgan Sr., and uncle, Emory Lewis. At age 18, he bought a horse for $800 and sold it three months later for $3,500, all while working two jobs on the loading docks of a freight company.

After the big score, Virgil went to work for Scioto-based trainer Randy Owens, and at age 23 went out on his own. In 1992, his first year, Morgan had six wins and six seconds in 22 starts for a .439 UTR. Since then his UTR has been above .300 every season, including three years above .400. His career UTR is .350.

The Grove City, Ohio native has earned $63.7 million, including consecutive years of more than $4 million in 2007-08, and four other campaigns of earning more than $3 million. Morgan has been the leading trainer at Scioto Downs and notched at least 100 wins for 27 straight years.

He has done all this by adopting a grueling schedule; often making more than 1,300 starts a year. Like so many others in his profession, a love of the sport is what keeps him going.

“Oh definitely,” he said. “I love the animals. I love horses, I love the equine industry.”

After some early years of putting too much stress on himself, Morgan has learned to navigate the rigors of it all.

“It’s a grind, you’ve got to keep your mind right to do it as long as I have,” he said. “You’ve got to stay focused and I’m big on a game plan. Your help has to buy into your game plan and try to create a winning environment.

“I want winners with me. I want my drivers to be winners, I want my help to be winners, and my owners to be winners. There’s a saying that ‘winners win.’ I believe that. I just want positive people with me that want to push forward.”

Existing in that environment can certainly make it easier to endure the grind; but Morgan feels one must be true to themselves as well.

“One of the greatest things I tell people getting into any business is to be honest with yourself,” Morgan said. “Don’t lie to yourself, don’t tell yourself your horse is better than it is or worse than it is.”

He also warns that no one should ever be satisfied.

“I hate the saying ‘If it’s not broke don’t fix it,’” Morgan said. “I think if that was the case we’d all still be in a (covered) wagon with wheels. I think you should constantly be looking for a thin edge — shoeing, training. What can we do to make this horse its most productive in a healthy manner? What can we do to make it a better horse?”

Virgil has made his horses the very best in races the second most times of any trainer in Standardbred history. His numbers are staggering, but he has to depend on others to tell him what they are, as in the case of his 7,000th win.

“I really had no idea until (USTA Social Media Content Manager) Wendy Ross approached me when I was probably three or four wins out,” Morgan said. “I really don’t look at stats like that. She reached out to me and told me it was getting close. It’s cool. I think I’ll maybe look back on it someday. Right now, I hopefully have a lot more wins to accomplish.”

Ironically, Smith reminded Morgan after the monumental event, that he was also the driver for his 5,000th win. When it was suggested he call Tyler after he hits 7,999, Virgil laughed and said “Yeah, I’ll have to remember that.”

In seriousness, Morgan appreciates Smith and all his drivers, along with a slew of others.

“I’m just grateful for the people that have helped me achieve it,” he said. “I’m thankful to my grooms, all of the second trainers, the owners. So many people. They’re all part of that. They all deserve credit for it.”

And with that, he was off to train Miss You N. The time for reminiscing was over. As usual, there were other challenges to prepare for.

Racing begins at 6:55 p.m. (EDT) on Monday at Yonkers. The $381,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for mares is race seven. Complete entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link.