Dan Deslandes : A Driver In The Process
by Jack Hurley, Contributor
August 21, 2012
 Dan Deslandes has been improving with every opportunity. The son of longtime trainer Jeff Deslandes, the 20 year old has steadily been creeping up the driver standings with 23 treks to the Winner’s circle in 2012, matching last year's total, all while packing over $64,000 in earnings.  His 2011 debut season at Scarborough Downs was highlighted by capturing the Freeman Parker award as well as Maine’s Rising Star award. Deslandes joins good company acquiring such awards with horsemen such as Jason Bartlett, Steve Nason, Drew Campbell and Kevin Switzer, Jr. Recenyly, Dan  took a few minutes to talk with our own Jack Hurley.

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Michael Newman Photo
Dan Deslandes guides HOLME FORA CUDDLE to the wire recently at Scarborough Downs.
Jack Hurley- First off Dan, how do you feel your year is going so far? Are you doing a lot of traveling?
Dan Deslandes- My year is going okay. I am starting to get a little busy, but busy is good in this business. With the fairs starting up, I should be on the road a little more often.

Jack- Your dad has been in the business for many years. Is that how you got involved in racing?
Dan- Yes. I got hooked on racing at the age of 4, when I jogged my first horse with my dad named Gaelic Merry Morn at Barton Fair in Vermont. When I was 16, I immediately started driving in qualifiers and fair races throughout New York. Like most drivers, my first pari-mutual drive was at 18, and things sort of kicked off from there.

Jack- Has your dad helped you get on your feet and get settled in the business?
Dan- Absolutely. My dad loves to see me succeed and he is my mentor. He tells me all about the mistakes I have made, and what I need to do to fix it. He’s one of the most knowledgeable horsemen around in my opinion.

Jack- Now you have relocated from New York to Maine. What is the hardest part about relocating for a horsemen’s business?
Dan- I think that the hardest part is getting to know people and proving yourself. Being young and just starting out, people are very quick to judge you.

Jack- Besides relocating, what is one of the hardest things about being a driver?
Dan- I’d have to say keeping everybody happy. Everyone has different opinions and ideas as to what they want and how they want it. It’s pretty rare when people agree 100% with each other’s ideas.

Jack- What’s the best part about being a driver? What makes you wake up every day and love to go to work?
Dan- I’d have to say the rush. You get a certain feeling when you line up behind the gate. It’s unexplainable. Even more than that is crossing the wire first and going to the winner’s circle and seeing all the smiles. It’s one of the highs of the business.

Jack- Last year you came away with two awards. You won the Freeman Parker award as well as Maine’s Rising Star award. What did receiving those awards mean to you?
Dan- They meant a lot to me because I have always wanted to be a driver and it made me feel like I was successful at what I love to do. Hopefully I can stay at it and keep living my dream.

Thanks for taking the time to talk with us Dan, and best of luck in the years to come.