The success of trainer Nick Surick is a good example of what happens when you combine skill, passion and just a bit of luck. The soon to be 25-year-old began his career at the ripe age of 21 and now finds himself third in the trainer’s standings at the top track in the sport, the Meadowlands. The Freehold, New Jersey resident started his love of racing the old fashioned way- riding his bike to Freehold Raceway after school with friends to watch the last couple of races. In his mid-teens, he befriended owner Mike Polansky and was invited to his farm. “I jogged one horse and I was hooked,” said Surick, who learned his training basics from Eric Abbatiello and just about everything else from his one-time girlfriend Anna Glide. “When I came to her I had nothing. She taught me the majority of everything I know,” said Surick of Glide, who still works in tandem with him. [DRF HARNESS: Sign Up for the FREE DRF Harness Newsletter Today!] But it was a chance meeting at Yonkers Raceway that has sent Surick on the ride of a lifetime. That is where he met owner Howard Schneidler and formed a relationship that has seen his stable grow from one $10,000 claimer to 35-strong. If Schneidler’s KDM Stable is listed as the owner, you can assume that Surick is calling the shots. Surick proved as such on Twitter the other day when he mentioned that Open trotter Sevruga would be racing at Harrah’s Philadelphia this week rather than the Meadowlands. It was an odd statement considering that Julie Miller is the listed trainer of the horse. But the horse is owned by KDM. “Howard didn’t want me to give the horse to anyone else, but I was having a hard time getting him to go and I’m very close to Andy (Miller), so I convinced him to let someone else train,” said Surick. Statistically Surick’s 2013 statistics have remained consistent with his last two years where he averaged 551 starts, 83 wins and $1.4 million. He is on pace for almost 90 wins and around $1.1 million this year. The difference is the venue. Surick raced 74 times and netted 6 wins at the Meadowlands in 2012. This year he has already started 72 horses for 16 wins. “I feel like I’ve always been consistent. Before I was doing it at the B tracks and now I’m at the A track,” said Surick, who admits he would love to win the Meadowlands training title but knows it is not realistic. “I don’t race enough to get that title. (Ron) Burke has 250 horses. I can’t compete with that. I’m just happy that KDM is competing for leading owner.” Interestingly enough, Surick compares his training style to Burke. Like Burke, Surick trains his horses hard between races to prepare them for the rigors of race night. “Every horse fits a different program. Some love it and some don’t take to it,” said Surick, who describes his training as boot camp. “If it doesn’t work out, I quickly get rid of the horse and cut my losses.” Another similarity is each trainer’s distain for negative publicity that tends to come hand and hand with success. “This is the only game I know where you get punished for doing good,” said Surick, who said his barn was “ripped apart” by Meadowlands investigator Brice Cote earlier this week. “Every test came back with nothing and they found nothing in my barn. They came at 7:30 am and wasted two hours of my time, but I didn’t mind. If you have nothing to hide, there is nothing to fear. I told them they can have the live link to my video feed and watch it all day if they want.” [Editors Note: According to Meadowlands officials, blood was pulled from Surick's horses on Monday (4/8) and results have not come back yet.] Where Surick takes exception is the cloud of guilt which surrounds him just because he is winning on harness racing’s biggest stage. “I don’t want to be known as a cheater,” said Surick. “Everyone only sees the success stories, but they don’t realize the horses that come in the front door and exit the back door without winning. I can take (the criticism) but it isn’t fair to my owners, employees and blacksmiths that help put me in the position I’m in.” Surick’s passion for the sport is evident in his actions. A few weeks ago he did an interview with Sam Mckee at 7pm, drove to Yonkers for a winner’s circle cameo with stable star Versado and then back to the Meadowlands to watch his horses in the late races. He also tries his luck at driving from time to time. “It’s a hobby, that’s all it is,” said Surick on his driving. “Some guys like to go to the casino or play golf, I drive.” While he won’t be in the bike on Saturday at the Meadowlands, Surick took the time to go over his starters for the evening. Race 1 – Mr Dennis “He has a good 3/8 mile move in him. I think he is one of the best in the series. Given a target he’ll be tough.” Race 2 – Always There “I have a lot of hopes for him and staked him to everything. He has ability and talent but needed more education. Cat (Manzi) gave me good feedback and I added a knee spreader last week. This week we are going with two knee spreaders and making him as wide upfront as possible.” Race 3 – Medoland Big Cam “He was airborne in his first start for me. I expect big things from him. If he comes out of his race on Wednesday (Race 1 – Philly) okay, he’ll be leaving from post 10 on Saturday. I tried to buy the horse but the owner didn’t want to sell and instead convinced me to train him. I changed his shoeing and made bridle changes.” Race 5 – Kiss My Art “If he would have stayed on the rail last week Andy (Miller) thought he would have won by 3 (lengths). He is the biggest horse in my barn and takes a lot to get going. I think he is better than (C-1). I’m looking for a big effort.” Race 9 – Arezzo Hanover “He has finally put it all together. It took me quite a few tries to fine tune his equipment after he came up from Florida. I think he’ll be okay in the C condition.” Race 11 – Major Belle “I didn’t think he would get beat last week but it looks like he needs to be off a helmet to win. I honestly think he’ll get a lifetime mark in the next few weeks.” Race 12 – Four Starz Twins “I had no intention on claiming him but I had six claims in at Pocono and didn’t get the first four and saw the series (Gina Giant) on the condition sheet at the Meadowlands. I think there is room for improvement and I expect a big, big mile this week, but he could make a liar out of me.” Race 13 – Bullet Speed “We gave $80,000 for him at Harrisburg and things haven’t worked out. He has breathing issues. We took the tongue tie off this week and he trained well. If he fires, he is supposed to be the best.”