Driver Steve Nason visited the winner’s circle for the 500th time of his career on Friday (8/23) steering Live It Luv It Dream It to victory at Scarborough Downs. The 23-year-old Nason sat the pocket trip behind the early speed of Suit Up (Drew Campbell) as the tandem followed each other around the raceway through sizzling early fractions. Nason tipped his steed to the outside up the backstretch, just getting up in the narrowest margin while stopping the clock in 1:57.3.

“Coming to three-quarters I sensed that Drew’s horse was tiring and when I pulled to the outside I felt pretty confident,” said Nason. “It was tough going to the wire, though. But it felt great to get my 500th -- just as good as my first!” Nason was joined in the winner’s circle by friends and family and members of the driving colony at Scarborough Downs, including his father, accomplished driver, John Nason.

“Dad told me to drive smart and don’t think about it,” said Nason, “and as usual, he was right.”

Nason, a regular driver at Scarborough Downs, was the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Freeman Parker Award given annually to recognize up-and-coming talent. The man in the red-and-blue colors has certainly lived up to expectations.

In other news, Keystone Real Deal made his first appearance at Scarborough Downs a winning one as he toured the oval in a lifetime best of 1:55.4. That clocking represents a brand new divisional track record for three-year-old geldings, supplanting the previous benchmark of 1:56.1 established by SJ’s Character (Ivan Davies) in 2008 and equaled by Fuzzylegsandall (Mark Athearn) last season.

Keystone Real Deal was driven to victory by David Ingraham for trainer Bo Sowers. The son of Badlands Hanover is owned in tandem by Mo Coo, Inc. and Jonathan Klee Racing of New York.

Live racing continues at The Downs on Saturday, Travers Stakes Day, with a post time of 4 pm, and Maine Sire Stakes action returns to the seaside oval on Sunday with a 1:05 pm start time.