Oak Grove, KY — Country Squire (Keystone Velocity) took top honors in the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) event on Monday (July 1) at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming.

Shae Vandervort overcame the second tier start with Country Squire to take top honors in USHDC action. Mark Herron photo.

Superbly handled by Shae Vandervort for owner-trainer-breeder Roni Vandervort, the 4-year-old gelding overcame the second tier 10 post and closed fastest of all to splice through the wire in 1:53.3, a lifetime best. Shes A Fireball, driven by Cassidy Whitton, cut all the hot fractions (:27.1, :55.3 and 1:24.3) but had to settle for second, less than a length away, while Rockin Ella Mae, with Zyler Maxwell handling the lines, was next.

The winner spent the first half-mile mid-pack before improving position outside during the third stanza and found himself within striking distance at the third station before using a :28.3 finale to get the job done.

In a post race interview, driver Shae Vandervort said, “Well, Country Squire is kind of a family affair as we bred the horse with the (horse) family going back some generations, so this was a special win.

“The second tier has some disadvantages sometimes but we got away cleanly and I got lucky enough to find some room and moved into contention and when we straightened away, the horse made me look real good!”

Trainer Roni Vandervort added, “(Country) Squire has had some tough luck the last few starts but when he gets some room to roam, he can kick home a bit. Very proud of both the horse and Shae today!”

Unraced at two, Country Squire is still lightly raced (25 career starts) and now has three lifetime wins — two this semester — to go along with his new lifetime mark, with the win vaulting his 2024 earnings to $20,410. As the third choice in the wagering, Country Squire paid $7.72 to win.