John Nason became the latest incarnation of Mr. 2000 on Friday, August 6, securing his 2,000th driving victory at Scarborough Downs as he steered Early Connection down victory lane
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Nason, a second-generation horseman, and son of famed driver Arthur Nason, basked in the celebration as he was joined trackside by fellow drivers and trainers, including his son, third generation and up and coming star, Steve Nason.
“I grew up in the footsteps of my father and when I got a chance to drive we had some pretty good horses,” remarked Nason following his landmark victory with Early Connection. “I got a chance to drive horses like Pace Along Time to a track record here at Scarborough Downs, and I was real proud to be able to drive my father’s horse, Mountain Skipper.”
Nason, who has been driving for decades along the New England circuit, admits that he got off to a fairly slow start in his driving career.
“I drove the fairs for two straight years without getting a win. In those days the last fair in Maine was Topsham and at the very last day of the Topsham Fair, I won three races in a row, with Mountain Air, Pace Along Sadie, and Entlee Cindy Babe. It took a while but when that first win came, it just seemed a bit easier.”
Much as Arthur Nason enjoyed watching his son John develop, John enjoys watching his son Steve, who has become one of the in-demand catch drivers at Scarborough Downs.
“Steven gets a lot of catch drives at Scarborough Downs and I’ll tell you, even for him to get into the business, it’s such a proud feeling for me. I raised him by myself. I had to leave the business in order to raise him, so to see him to do so well at it so early on, just makes me so proud.”
Nason’s favourite subject is obviously his sons.
“Steven works hard for his drives. When I got back into the business, I had a fairly cheap stable and we had to make cheap horses into good horses, it’s a good way for a kid to learn, and Steven has learned his lessons very well. I just wish his grandfather could have been around to see him drive.”
Following the milestone performance, in the Scarborough Downs driver’s lounge, Nason reflected on what’s next for him.
“I’m not headed for 2,500 wins. I got a few more than my dad, and I’ve given Steven something to shoot at. He’ll get to 2,000 a lot faster than I did; he takes his catch driving very seriously. We’ll finish out the summer, retool at Harrisburg in the fall, and try to build a stronger stable for next year. I’ve got another son, Andy; he’ll need some good mounts to get his career underway next year.”
Family ties and hereditary ability remain the fabric of harness racing in America. The Nason clan epitomizes that mystique. Each generation has come to the forefront, each has delivered the goods and each has left their mark on the industry they love so well.
(Scarborough Downs)