Harness: Profile of driver Jim Devaux

What kind of car do you drive?

2010 Chevy Impala.

Favorite dinner meal? Snack?

Steak and Potatoes; Ice Cream.

What is your favorite track to race at?

I can’t really choose. I have good friends at both Saratoga and Monticello. Saratoga does race for more money though.

How often is racing on your mind?

I think about it sometimes during the week, but mostly just at the track when I get there and look at a program.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of racing?

Fishing and hunting.

What is your favorite sport to watch?

Nascar.

What is one thing about you most fans/bettors don’t know?

I have two daughters – Samantha and Kiersten.

What is one word that describes harness racing for you?

Competition.

How did you get started in the sport?

My dad bought a horse and that’s how we got into it. He was a mechanic and bought a horse for $100. He did good with it. Bubba Washington drove that horse.

What is your relationship to the other Devaux’s who have competed in New York?

Dawn is my sister-in-law, Sherie is my sister but she does Thoroughbreds, Adrian is my father and Ken is my brother.

What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten about harness racing?

Be safe out there. Once you get fear in you, it definitely interferes with what you can do.

What was your favorite moment in harness racing?

Winning the Sire Stakes final at Yonkers with Jersey Jim (2017). We got lucky and it worked out.

Which is the best horse you’ve ever driven?

I guess Jersey Jim in terms of earnings. I’ve been fortunate, but that horse made more than any other one at the end of the year. I’ve driven horses pretty much the entire year and made $100K and he made like $160K.

You are closing in on 6,000 lifetime wins. What does a number like that mean to you?

I really never think about it. It definitely makes me happy. When I started I never thought I’d hit that number.

You have eclipsed the million-dollar mark in earnings for horses you have driven each of the last 10 years. How has the marriage of casino and tracks changed your life?

For the better, yeah. Though even a while back, we made a living. I’ve been married 23 years and she’s been with me for almost 30 years. We’ve always gotten by, but it is nice to get a good paycheck and I’m grateful for what I have.

Monticello is down to just seven races on some days as other tracks open. As a regular on that circuit, do you see it surviving?

Monticello will always survive. I believe it will.

What was the most interesting thing to happen to you on the track?

I’ve driven a few who had broken bits and I’ve gone down a few times and broke some bones. The times with broken bits, I was fortunate that the horses weren’t out of control and I was able to calm them down by the fence and get them off the track.

If you had the power to change one thing in the sport, what would it be?

I think some tracks keep you on the track too long in the post parades and I don’t see a reason why. I don’t think any horse needs to be on the track for 10 minutes. Sometimes we have no marshall out there and they get hot.

How do you view the future of harness racing?

For me, I’m just happy where I am and if I can keep this pace going for the next few years, I’m happy where I’m at. I’m fortunate that I have good trainers and owners to drive for.

Time for the stretch drive. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind?

Best Horse Ever: Wiggle It Jiggleit

Best Trainer Ever: Ron Burke

Lasix – Yes or No?: Yes, absolutely.

Best place to eat near Monticello: Colosseo