Driver Dan Deslandes had the hot hands on Saturday (April 9) at Cumberland as he guided six horses to victory, winning half of all the races on the second day of harness racing action in Southern Maine.

“It was one of those days I had always dreamed about as a kid,” recalled the Vermont native. “It’s hard enough winning one race, nevermind six!”

Deslandes had somewhat of a banner year in 2021, finishing the season with 161 wins and $518,175 in purse earnings, which was the most annual money-winnings he had ever posted in his 14-year career.  His 61 wins at Cumberland put him firmly in third place, behind duelling top guns Drew Campbell and Bruce Ranger.

Quick to shift the formula of success to others, Deslandes pointed out that, “I have a great team behind me.  Without them, it would not be possible.  I am very fortunate to have some good horses to drive and they make my job easier.”

Deslandes wasted little time on Saturday visiting the Blue Seal Winner's Circle, as the 29-year-old reinsman swept the early Daily Double with his own charges.  Taking the opener was Nagle, a six-year-old son of Dali, owned by Reginald Duguay that paid $4.20 to win for the wire-to-wire effort.

Flight Deck N burst right to the front in race two and held off the late charge of Supreme Mach N to win by a neck for trainer/driver/co-owner Deslandes, along with partners Danny King and Jeff Deslandes.  The 12-year-old son of Jeremes Jet paid $11.60 to win in 1:59, and provided the pilot with both ends of the Double.

Deslandes then won the next race in which he had a drive, putting Tyronbettersella N right where they both like to be…on the front end.  Scoring from post three in race five, the 10-year-old mare by Bettors Delight paid $3.20 for owner Mo Coo Inc. and trainer Karl Butterfield.  It was around this time that rain settled into the area and the track was downgraded to muddy.

During race seven, Deslandes took a rare seat and was content coming from off the pace to win with his own Grand Galop Semalu in 1:57.1, the fastest race of the day.  Owned by Larry Huckins, the 10-year-old son of Rock N Roll Heaven paid $3.40 to win the $5,200 Open IV Pace.

Deslandes continued his reign of terror, racking up victories in the ninth, the $6,500 Open I Pace with Deetzy in 1:57.4 (paying $20.20 to win), and the 12th with Danishdujour.  Both were trained by Butterfield.

In total, Dan Deslandes had seven drives on the card, winning six.  It was only in the sixth race that the hot driver didn’t visit the winner's circle.

Deslandes noted, “Opening weekend was very good to me, but without the hard work from everyone involved, none of it would be possible.”

Born in Vermont, the Deslandes family moved to Maine when Dan was quite young.  

“Then, when I was in fifth grade, we moved to New York,” recalled Deslandes.  

Raised around the Saratoga harness track, when he started driving, his father suggested he move back to Maine to jumpstart his career.

“I have no regrets coming back to Maine,” said Deslandes.  “I just wish we had less down time.  But I love the off-season so that I can spend more time with my family.”

Deslandes, and his wife Kori, now train nine horses up in Bangor and credits her with much of his achievement.  

“We met at the races in Bangor and got married three years ago,” stated Deslandes.  “When she is not working at the Eastern Maine Hospital, she is a huge help at the barn.  Kori is a major part of any success that I have.”

Deslandes and Butterfield both enjoyed training triples on the program.

Last year’s leading conditioner Benson Merrill swept both legs of the Maine Amateur Driving Club series, sponsored by the North Yarmouth Blue Seal and the Windham Blue Seal Feed Stores.

Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Friday (April 15) and Saturday (April 16).  Next week features the first legs of our ‘Kick-Off’ Late Closing Series for pacers, with the top class going for a $12,000 final the following week.  Post time for the Spring/Summer meet is set for 3 p.m. on both Fridays and Saturdays, with the extended pari-mutuel meeting racing each weekend through July 23.

(With files from First Tracks Cumberland)