Oak Grove, KY – The United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) feature at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming featured yet another club donation to Redemption Ranch on Monday (June 2) with the “clear choice” to the betting public, Clearchoice De Vie, a handy winner for Roy Marohn.
The 5-year-old gelded son of Betting Line, leaving from the inside post, left alertly to gain the garden seat off the wings, made a quarter move to the top, and held off the fast-closing Senor Sharpsburg, handled by Zyler Maxwell, by a neck at the end of a 1:54.2 mile.
The fastest-closing Anns Marina Delray, with Cassidy Whitton handling the lines, was third, just a half-length away.
Kissinbythebeaches was next for Peter Kleinhans while Hold My Drink, who zipped off the wings to an opening panel of :26.4, picked up the nickel.
In a post-race interview, driver Roy Marohn said, “When I saw that outside horse (Hold My Drink) leaving hard, I wasn’t going to get in a war with him but decided at that quick opener that he’d try and get a breather after that real hot opener.
“Once I got to the front, we got to the half pretty comfortably and, on the backside, I chirped once and he opened up. He did what he had to do … raced real good.”
Owned by trainer David Brooks along with Adam Brooks, Clearchoice De Vie sent his scorecard to 5-1-3 in 18 starts, good for $29,615 this semester and $134,241 career-wise.
The winner had a multitude of faithful this day and paid $2.92 to win.
The day also was special for the Redemptive Ranch, a non-profit organization using horses to promote healing and love to unite individuals with horses in a safe environment
Said Executive Director Hannah Corn, “There are no words that show enough appreciation to the [United States Harness Driving] Club for their donation and caring about our cause.
“We rely strictly on outside donations and this goes a long way in achieving our mission of helping children and teens in need through agricultural activities.”
For those interested in further helping this cause, visit redemptionranchtn.com.