Oak Grove, KY – Copper Teen, off at 37-1, teamed up with driver Danarius Dortch to score a surprisingly easy win in the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) feature at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming on Monday (April 6).
The 8-year-old American Ideal gelding, trained by owner Cordarius Stewart, stopped the timer in 1:55.2, using a :28.1 finale to score by two lengths over D A Wicked Shine, handled by John Mungillo, with Talk Racy To Me another 2-1/2 lengths away in third for Jalen Gray.
Betustay, last halfway through the mile, was a sharp closing fourth for Christina Grubich while Little Bit Tuff, last early on, rallied to pick up the nickel for Cassidy Whitton.
Copper Teen was away alertly from the inside post, only out-sprinted by D A Wicked Shine and the favorite, Ifudntnomebynow, driven by Adarryl Gates Jr., that were-1-2 through opening panels of :29 and :59.
On the backside, Ifudntnomebynow left the coziness of the pocket but came up empty allowing Copper Teen to gain the garden spot through a :27.4 third panel, softening up the leader, D A Wicked Shine, around the final bend turning for home and then handily sprinting by for the win.
After the race, driver Dortch reflected, “You know, my horse hadn’t been racing bad at all.
“He made a start here after a month off and raced very good, and last start, had a not-so-great post (7) and I was very confident that the inside post would help him today.
“We were third early and, when the horse in the two-hole pulled and didn’t seem to have it today, I was grinning from ear-to-ear and felt really good about my chances.
“I was surprised that he went off as that much of a long shot, but since I don’t bet, it didn’t matter much to me – the win was what mattered for Mr. Stewart.
Trainer Stewart chimed in and said, “Danarius has some really good hands and he handled this horse to perfection today. They should all be like that, but I know better than that in the competition here at Oak Grove.
“I just have to enjoy the moment while I can because this is a tough, tough business!”
The win was the first in five starts this year for Copper Teen and vaulted his career earnings to $228,526.
The winner rewarded his faithful with a mutuel of $77.78.
The USHDC is in its 30th year of making dreams come true for those in need as its membership donates all driving earnings in its races to charitable causes, which can be local or have national influence.
Included in this season’s charity awards at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming are Sanctuary Inc., Steele Magnolia Sanctuary, Volunteer Equine Advocates, Redemption Ranch, Safe Harbor Sanctuary, Christian County 4-H Club and Christian County Cattlemen’s Association.