Oak Grove, KY — The United States Harness Drivers Club, formerly known as the FADC, kicked off its 2024 season at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming and 19-year-old Carson Conrad drove the 4-year-old gelding Business Check (Check Six) to a handy victory in 1:54.3.

Using the inside post position to perfection, Business Check won an all out war during the first half-mile before pulling away on the backside to an insurmountable lead to score by 1-1/2 lengths over the fast closing Palomar, handled by Jacob Stillwell. Ayr Pioneer GB, driven by Dein Spriggs, was third.

As the wings folded, Business Check left with alacrity but was joined by Mach Diesel, with Jill Brown in the sulky, and these two sizzled an opening panel in :26.4 just heads apart with the war continuing through a half in :56 with Spades It Is and Ayr Pioneer GB next. On the backside, Spades It Is, saving all the ground, moved into second with Ayr Pioneer GB taking up the chase as well.

But Conrad stepped on the gas during a :28.2 third quarter to skip away by almost four lengths and was unthreatened all the way home with a comfortable :30.1 final quarter.

In a post race interview, young Conrad related, “I asked Maria (Alvarez) where he likes to be and she said to try and go down the road from this post. I’d say her advice was pretty good, don’t you think?

“I live in Anderson, Ind., these days and it’s a five hour drive each way but, I gotta say, the trip was well worth it!”

Business Check, trained by Maria Alvarez for owner Terrence Smith, earned his first win of the season in seven starts to boost his lifetime bankroll to $32,810 and Conrad, coming off his best season in 2023 during his brief career, earned his initial win of the year in only seven starts.

The USHDC has donated well over $300,000 to various charitable organizations because of the generosity of its members donating all money earned from purses for charitable purposes, including equine aftercare and training horses for second careers in therapeutics, among others.