by Chris Lomon

The young horseman from Macedonia, OH, was down, but by no means out.

Tyler Angus’ racing world came crashing down on him, literally, on the night of June 9, 2024.

In rein to Virgins Beach Boy in the 14th race at Northfield Park, Angus was involved in a multi-horse accident that occurred shortly after the three-quarter mark in the $16,712 pace.

“It happened so quickly,” he said. “I got knocked out and when I came to, I was on my way to the hospital. I didn’t have a clue what happened. I was fortunate to come out of it with just a concussion. I didn’t have any broken bones, so I was very grateful to come out of it the way I did.”

Sidelined for two weeks, Angus leaned on lessons learned from another sport to help him navigate his way back to the race bike.

“I wrestled for a long time,” said Angus, who was a standout on the mat, holding status as a state and national place-winner. “For me, it is hands down the best sport in the world. I played soccer, baseball, football – none of it compares to wrestling. The discipline and mentality – I think that is what helped me more than anything to get through those days I was sitting out. I leaned on what I learned from my wrestling days.”

Still, there were hurdles to overcome before his return to action.

At times, the 22-year-old grappled with self-doubt.

“I didn’t know if I was ever going to be what I was,” Angus said. “The first time you have that major accident — it happens to everybody — you realize the biggest thing is how you come back from it.”

On June 23, two weeks after the accident, Angus was listed for five drives.

In the minutes leading up to the start of the first race, he pointed Be A Lucky Star, a pacing son of Luck Be Withyou, towards his rail spot on the gate.

The pair rocketed to the front seconds after the field was on its way and held a near two-length lead after a quarter in :27.3.

Be A Lucky Star, who was 3¼ lengths clear turning for home, crossed the wire a 5¼-length winner in 1:55.2.

“It was a special win for obvious reasons,” Angus said. “You never know how you will feel in that first race back.”

But he wasn’t done there.

Before the night was over, Angus would make two more trips to the winner’s circle, all three of them coming for trainer Harla Loney.

“It was one of those weeks where everything was perfect,” Angus said. “I was a little nervous, but after a month or so of driving, it felt normal again.”

Yes, the mojo was back.

The rest of 2024, perhaps unsurprisingly, played out the way the previous five months and following six would.

“We had kicked the year off pretty well,” Angus said. “At that time, I was still working for a guy named Brian Loney, who has been a very successful trainer for many years. Our first big night of 2024 was Jan. 23 when we won four races on the night – the most I had ever won on a single card. That was a big deal for me.”

Three months later, in April, Angus recorded his first open score, the milestone coming with Nvrfearlloydishere, also a Harla Loney trainee.

“After the accident, it was up and down, but by the end of the year, it started going up again,” Angus said.

On Dec. 23, Angus was named the 2024 recipient of the Peter Haughton Memorial Award. The award is presented to a young Ohioan who is an “up-and-coming” star in standardbred racing.

Last year, he won 88 races, to go along with 115 seconds, 131 thirds from 1,186 starts. His purse earnings topped $1.1 million.

“Being able to come back was a big highlight,” he said. “I also picked up a stakes drive for [trainer/driver] Stacie Currie, a 2-year-old named Fear The Thunder, in a Buckeye Division race in September. I ended up winning, which was my first stakes win in Ohio. That was huge for me.”

As was in knowing that he had the fortitude and drive to handle the uncertainties of horse racing.

“You will be at your highest moment one week and then you could be at the bottom of the ladder the next week,” said Angus, who drove his first official race Aug. 24, 2020, and piloted Ruffy’s Desire, trained by Billy Rhoades, to a win at Canfield Fair. “It’s crazy how quick things can happen and change. We started off so well and things went downhill for a while. And then we started having success again. It’s been one hell of a ride.”

With the 2024 campaign now in the rearview mirror, Angus, son of longtime trainer Ryan Angus, is eager to look ahead.

His goals, both in the short and long term, are lofty ones.

Even so, Tyler feels more equipped to handle whatever might come his way as he chases those objectives.

“I want to try and be a top five driver at Northfield,” he said. “It will be very hard to do. You are driving against so many talented drivers, but I want to give that my best shot. If I can double my wins and purse earnings in 2025, that would be huge too.

“Ohio is my home, and I don’t want to ever leave, but there is that feeling of wanting to take a shot out east and see if you can drive at The Meadowlands or Yonkers. That is going to be one of my long-term goals, to see if I can go there at some point and see if I can be successful.”

Tyler understands the journey beyond the Buckeye State isn’t something to be rushed.

“I know I have a long path ahead of me before I would even consider making my move out there,” he said.

For now, the resilient reinsman will set his sights on crafting a successful 2025.

Come what may, Tyler is ready for whatever happens to be in store.

“You never know what each race will bring,” he said. “It’s why you appreciate the wins and the big moments and put the tough times in perspective.”