by Charlene Sharpe, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Charlene Sharpe

Laurel, DE — In May, in what would be his final qualifying drive before receiving his ‘P’ license, Zachary Amiss guided Zachdaman to a 2:00.1 win at Rosecroft Raceway. A month later, the maiden driver/trainer and the maiden pacer named for him won their first pari-mutuel race at Ocean Downs.

“It’s weird how that turned out,” Amiss said.

Amiss, 21, recorded his first win as driver and trainer June 18 at Maryland’s half-mile oval. Amiss secured 3-year-old pacing gelding Zachdaman a two-hole trip behind pacesetting Aintthebeercold before coming down the passing lane to cross the wire first in 1:58.3.

Charlene Sharpe photo

Zach Amiss recorded his first win as a driver and trainer on June 18 at Ocean Downs with Zachdaman.

He was joined in the winner’s circle by several family members, including his twin sister Makenna, mother Dawn Amiss and her longtime boyfriend Shaun Callahan.

“My sister started crying she was so happy,” said Amiss, who owns Zachdaman with his mother.

Amiss, who lives in Maryland, now has 12 pari-mutuel starts as a driver with one win and two thirds. Though he’s only driving the horses he trains at the moment — Zachdaman, Maxkenna and Macho McGraw — he’s hoping to eventually progress to catch driving.

“It’s been something I’ve wanted to do since I was little,” he said. “When I was in high school I thought about other careers but this is the only thing that made sense and made me happy.”

Amiss grew up watching Shaun Callahan and Shaun’s father Nick Callahan train horses while Shaun’s brother, Corey Callahan, competed as one of the nation’s top drivers. Amiss began working full-time in the Callahan stable two years ago.

“That’s what settled it for me,” he said. “I buckled down and got my license.”

He spent last year picking up qualifying drives and racing at the Great Frederick Fair.

“It’s fun,” he said. “It’s exciting. I like to go fast.”

Amiss officially received his ‘P’ license in May and began driving his horses at Rosecroft. They’re now competing at Ocean Downs for the summer and Amiss says he’s gaining valuable experience with every start. And while the Callahans are happy to provide advice, they’re not overbearing.

“They’re letting me try to figure it out on my own,” Amiss said. “I look for Shaun or Corey’s approval. They usually text me after a race. They give me little pointers.”

Allmat photo

Zach Amiss, in 2003, is sitting in the bike behind Ashante Macho, the dam of Zachdaman, after a win at Plainridge.

Corey Callahan, who was quick to congratulate Amiss on social media after Zachdaman’s win, said this week he was proud of his nephew.

“He did a great job,” Corey Callahan said. “He looks like he’s getting better with every start. He seems to be focused on making this a career and I hope this leads to many more wins for him.”

When he’s in the sulky, Amiss sports the familiar green, white and yellow Callahan colors. The design even includes a “ZC” on the sleeve.

“I did that because they’re my family,” he said. “I look at Shaun as a father.”

As a young man in harness racing, Amiss says he’s eager to share his love of the sport with the rest of his generation. Several of his friends came out to cheer him on in Zachdaman’s first start at Ocean Downs and others watch him race on their smartphones.

“I’ve been trying to get them involved,” he said. “I want to get more kids involved in the sport so it’s around when my kids are around.”