Oak Grove, KY — Harness racing history repeated itself in amateur competition at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Sunday (June 25) as Tony Dinges and Dein Spriggs, again, finished one-two in the pair of USHDC events, repeating that same unusual feat that occurred in their pair of races on May 22.

Tony Dinges swept the pair of amateur events at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming Sunday.
Mark Herron photo.

In the first of the two amateur events, Dinges held the lines back of In Commando (Camluck) and got up in the final stride or two to score in 1:55.2 over the British side-wheeler Ayr Pioneer GB, handled by Spriggs, with Pacific Stride next for Zachary Highers.

Dinges and his charge had to survive an early skirmish through a demanding :27.1 opener before relinquishing the lead and then stalked Ayr Pioneer GB through panels of :56 and 1:25.1 before edging by a stride or two from the wire.

Trained by Dinges for owner Dawnelle Mock and, as track announcer Robin Burns described, the “Fruit of the Loom Stable,” the 14-year-old warrior won for the second time this semester, pushing his lifetime victory total to 48 in 338 starts, good for $717,395 — his mark being 1:50.3s achieved 11 seasons ago.

Off at even money on the toteboard, the winner paid $4.22 to win with the Kentucky breakage reduced to a penny (instead of a nickel or dime).

In the amateur finale, Dinges was unhurried and patient early in mid-pack with his 4-year-old gelding Sports Teller (Sportswriter) as serious fractions of :26, :54.4 and 1:23.2 were posted by Reggie Raider, with Spriggs driving. Dinges reeled in the latter from six lengths off the pace to win by a half-length in 1:55. Rock This Town, driven by Cheryl Lavick, was next.

Lavick, by the way, is a former jockey who has traded her silks for driving colors and has driven sporadically in the Midwest at Balmoral Park, Hawthorne Racecourse and Springfield, Ill., before arriving in Kentucky.

Sports Teller won for the fifth time this year, vaulting his earnings to $38,750 — more than his earnings from his first two years in the racing wars. Dinges not only trains the winner, that returned $5.34 as the favorite, but also owns, as well.

It was Dinges’ eighth win in amateur competition during the Oak Grove meeting, leading all USHDC participants and the humble driver was quoted on his accomplishments saying, “Our club is full of drivers just like me and the wins are nice but the real satisfaction is that this will provide another well deserved contribution to a charity in need. That is what it’s all about.”

The USHDC had donated over $300,000 for worthy causes that protect horses after their racing days are over and then go on to help “children of all ages that face demanding times during their lives.”