Oak Grove, KY – The United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) feature at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming had five different leaders during a stirring one-mile duel on Monday (June 1), with April’s Big Guy rallying late to score in 1:53.4.
The 5-year-old gelded son of Ashlee’s Big Guy was driven by veteran Peter Kleinhans, who edged out Rocket Russell, handled by Adarryl Gates Jr., by a length with Lottie’s Webb and driver Denarius Dortch third, six lengths away, but a nose better than Crius N Rock, with Jalen Gray in the bike.
Its Gonna Feelgood, handled by John Mungillo, picked up the nickel in the field of nine.
This was a classic – start to finish – as Lottie’s Webb was away with alacrity along with Dontinvitemein and Michael Riley sticking a head in front at the hot opener of :26.4.
Meanwhile, Rocket Russell and April’s Big Guy were well back in sixth and seventh, respectively, as Dontinvitemein took the field halfway through the mile in :56 with Its Gonna Feelgood driving forward in third.
On the backside, Its Gonna Feelgood reached the lead with Rocket Russell in close pursuit, Lottie’s Webb locked up with no room to roam and April’s Big Guy beginning his :27.4 sprint home.
Rocket Russell did make the lead once they straightened away for the sprint home but was no match for April’s Big Guy, who rolled on by for the score – his third win 14 starts, vaulting his seasonal bankroll to $24,529.
The winner is trained by Roshun Trigg, who also co-owns with Flacco Family Farms LLC, both of whom bred the pacer.
For Kleinhans, who has been involved in harness racing for some four decades, it was his 82nd career win in the sulky, now confined to amateur events along with being known as the renaissance man for his dexterity as a racetrack announcer, songwriter and guitar player extraordinaire.
In harness racing, his most notable accomplishment has been with Enough Talk, a two-time Dan Patch Award winner as well as the Breeders Crown and the Titan Cup champ in 2010.
By the way, April’s Big Guy returned $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite on Monday.
The USHDC is in its 30th years of providing charitable donations to organizations in need for wide-ranging goodwill, including its next beneficiary – Redemption Ranch – a place for healing and sustaining through equine-assisted learning programs for youth between the ages of 6 and 18. They will be honored in ceremonies from Oak Grove Racing & Gaming on June 8.