At just 18 years old Nick Steward has put himself on the map as one of Canada’s breakthrough drivers

of 2009.

Steward, who was introduced to harness racing through his grandfather, Larry Fitzsimmons, and step-dad, Ray Bunn, says he set his goals high aiming for 100 wins during his first full season in the bike.

“I train a few, but I always wanted to drive,” said Steward, who enjoys learning from his fellow drivers.

Making appearances at 11 of Ontario’s racetracks (plus Simcoe), Steward surpassed his goal recording 120 victories, good for $871,614 in purse earnings. The resident of Dorchester, Ontario also cracked the top 10 leader board at Clinton Raceway (5th), Hiawatha Horse Park (6th) and Western Fair Raceway (9th).

Win number one came during Steward’s eighth pari-mutuel start on March 27 at Western Fair aboard Rhianne, who also broke her maiden that evening.

With 120 victories to choose from, Steward narrowed his favourites down to two, “When I won with Keystone Mystique at Grand River in [1:54] and when I won my first Woodbine race a couple months ago.”

Steward’s victory with Keystone Mystique was one-fifth of a second off the track record. His first win at Woodbine came in a $25,000 elimination for the Autumn Stake with Justalittleluck.

Heading into the New Year, Steward remains focused on fueling a blossoming career. His goal for 2010: “Just to improve the 2009 wins...and money,” he laughs.