Oak Grove, KY — Oak Grove Racing and Gaming kicked off its 2025 stakes-laden meeting with a strongly supported program Monday (March 24) with Terry Di Cicco sealing the opening day festivities with a win in the first United States Harness Driving Club event of the year.
Di Cicco, who recently celebrated his 69th birthday, guided Don Tiger’s Shane Falco, a 6-year-old gelded son of Racing Hill, to a game win measuring 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4. The fastest closing Dragon Perfect, handled by John Mungillo, was up for second, followed by Joyful Lady, the pacesetter, for Trey Brinson.
It was the first win of the year for Shane Falco, as well as the first win for Di Cicco since an amateur event with Elrama N at The Meadowlands on Nov. 26, 2021.
Leaving from the six post in a “two-tiered” field, Di Cicco sent Shane Falco off the wings with alacrity and was able to smartly nestle his way into the garden spot during a hot opening panel of :27.1. As Joyful Lady took the field through a half in :57, Di Cicco pulled Shane Falco from the comfort zone and roared to the front at the third station in 1:26 before coasting home unscathed in 1:56.4.
After the race, Di Cicco commented, “Longtime horseman Eldon Leonelli and Shane Falco’s breeder-owner Don Tiger were talking and Tiger mentioned that the horse is very talented but is having issues and Eldo suggested that he come to me to try and get him straightened out.
“It took a few weeks but he really came around and qualified very handily at Oak Grove in a tune-up for this opening day.
“He didn’t disappoint anybody today and the fans, I am sure, weren’t disappointed either as he was the favorite going into the race.
“This horse is a half-brother to the great Charlie May and has a (1):49.2 mark a couple of seasons ago at Scioto Downs and I am very pleased and appreciative that Mr. Tiger sent him over to me to get him back to the races.”
The win was the 17th in 77 lifetime starts for Shane Falco, vaulting his career bankroll to $185,215. He rewarded his faithful with a mutuel of $3.74.
The USHDC has donated over $325,000 to worthy causes since its inception and plans to bolster that number during this Oak Grove meeting.
As USHDC President Dein Spriggs said, “Our club is successful because of the generosity of our members who donate 100% of their earnings driving in these events to worthy causes reaching out to community needs all the way to equine rescues and rehabilitation services.
“Kevin Mack and Cara Collins make it all possible with their hospitality which, in turn, puts our sport in a positive light with starting gate rides, visits to the announcer’s booth and more.”