Washington, PA — Ronnie Wrenn Jr. notched career driving win No. 8,000 on Thursday (April 25) at Hollywood Casino at The Meadows when he piloted The Last Song to victory in the 11th race.

Wrenn, 37, a resident of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, splits his time between The Meadows and Ohio venues, and has excelled at each end of the turnpike. In 2014, he was the sport’s dash leader with 847 wins. Last year, he compiled a stellar .406 UDR in 2,458 starts. He has earned more than $62.3 million in purses.

Ronnie Wrenn Jr. achieved the 8,000-win plateau when he steered The Last Song to victory at The Meadows. Chris Gooden photo.

Wrenn began driving in 2008 and that year captured his first purse victory in a Billings Amateur Trot at the Holland, Mich., fair. In two years of college pursuing a degree in criminal law, he couldn’t stop thinking of harness racing.

“I never thought it would come to this,” he said in 2022 on the eve of his 7,000th win. “I intended to race a few horses in amateur races and finish school. I drove for Dad and my uncles, Peter and Gary.

“But I was like most young guys in this business. As soon as it gets in your blood, that’s all you want to do. Now I get to drive for Ronnie Burke, Brian Brown, Sam Schillaci. It’s crazy how it works out.”

In 2022, Wrenn listed one of his primary goals as landing more assignments in richer, more prestigious events.

“I really want to drive more Grand Circuit horses and fewer overnights,” he said. “I’m driving for some of the connections that maybe will put me on the map a little bit.”