Luke Hanners made his debut at The Big M
At 0h02, on April 18, 2021 • By NEWSROOM
Driver Luke Hanners, 20, made his debut at The Big M Friday and came close to getting a victory, finishing second with All American N, who went parked every step of the way from post 10 before getting nailed by 8-5 favorite Gold Medal Swan by a head in 1:54.3. Thus far in 2021, Hanners, 20, has a combined 40 wins from 431 starts racing at Freehold and Rosecroft Raceways.
The son of the late Brad Hanners began driving at age 16. He wanted to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. “It’s what my dad has always done and ever since I can remember I have always wanted to drive and be like my dad”, shared Hanners.
Brad Hanners died in 2015 at the age of 43, following complications from Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Luke Hanners began driving at the fairs. His first win was at the Champaign County Fair on August 9, 2017 with Save Me A Place. Then he started driving at Dayton, Northfield, Miami Valley Freehold and Rosecroft. Thus far in lifetime, he has a combined 105 wins from 1 348 starts.
Harness racing is a family affair. His mom, Alicia Hanners is a trainer. His brother Austin Hanners and cousins Tyler and Trevor Smith also drive.
If Hanners wasn’t driving horses, he says he would try to establish a good stable of horses to train. He has started to train, but his mom is the main trainer of the stable. “She’s hard worker when it comes to the barn”.
He believes the industry could get people more familiar and excited about harness racing with increased advertising and have the race tracks become more kid friendly.
