Jeffrey Deslandes

Jeffrey Deslandes (T-D)
Saratoga Springs, NY
Birthplace: Newport, VT
Birthdate: 3/25/69

Jeff was introduced to harness racing by his father when he took him to the Barton Fairgrounds in Vermont to learn the business. He started out breaking yearlings for Dr. Stanwood Churchill and two years later he went to Scarborough Downs to work for Daniel Cyr. Jeff’s first pari-mutuel training win was with Mija Roma Pearl in 1991.

Coming to Saratoga Gaming and Raceway in 2003, Deslandes made an immediate impact, winning 30 races on the year and 99 in-the-money finishes out of 266 starts. The following year Jeff tallied 52 wins on his way to winning the ‘Peerless McGrath Award’ which recognizes the top up-and-coming trainer for the year. The barn’s lead performers include Penn McCoy, who was claimed by Deslandes for $7,500 and competed at the $12,500-20,000 level and Chatham Fella, the “toughest and gamest horse” he ever trained. Chatham Fella had 11 wins in 26 starts in 2004. Jeff trained Climax to a NYSS victory in 2003.

Jeff’s hobbies are softball, hockey, volleyball, bowling, when he can find time to do them. Jeff had a fantastic year in 2007 with 83 training wins. Jeff received an award for 2008 $4,000-5,000 Claiming Trotter of the Year, BJ’s Charge King.  Jeff finished eleventh in the 2009 trainer standings.