Oak Grove, KY — Carson Conrad and Dein Spriggs shared center stage at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Sunday (May 14) with wins in their respective U.S. Harness Driving Club events.

Timetoplaythegame scored in 1:56.3. Mark Herron photo.

Conrad, 18, earned his ninth career winning drive by piloting the 10-year-old Timetoplaythegame (Badlands Hanover) to that gelding’s 32nd career win, sending his career bankroll to $159,576. The mile was clocked in 1:56.3 with the winner’s final panel clocked in :29.2 to seal the issue.

Off the pace during the sizzling :56.1 opening half, Conrad’s charge took up the chase on the backside and rallied by the pacesetting Smiling Terror, driven by Gary Campbell, to score by 1-1/4 lengths. Tobins Native, with Travis Williams Jr. in the sully, was awarded third in the mile.

The winner is trained by Robert Laffoon for owner April Roach.

Young Conrad, a neighboring Indiana native, has been driving for three seasons– his first win coming at the Connersville Fair with Zig Zag Zoom at the age of 16. He rewarded his faithful Sunday with a $14.34 mutuel.

Spriggs, 65, on the other hand, is one of the senior citizens of the USHDC and was back of one of the equine senior citizens in his event, China Dream (If I Can Dream) as this 12-year-old gelding got picture perfect handling to score his 53rd career win, vaulting his earnings to $441,790.

That mile was timed in 1:55.3 with China Dream using a :29 finale to hold off Sports Teller, driven by Tony Dinges, by 1-1/2 lengths. Skyway Three Ball, with Denarius Dortch driving, rallied for the show spot.

Despite starting from the rail with Spriggs, China Dream was fourth choice in the betting and returned $16.76 to his faithful.

In a post race interview, Spriggs said, “We really got a great trip, especially getting cover halfway through. It struck me kind of funny when the announcer Robin said something like the ‘old-timer’ has reached the front and I didn’t know if that meant me or China Dream!”

China Dream is trained and owned by Maria Rice.

A large group joined in the winner’s circle festivities for a club presentation and donation to Steele Magnolia Sanctuary. Mark Herron photo.

During the afternoon festivities, the USHDC added to its list of charitable beneficiaries with a donation to the Steele Magnolia Sanctuary, devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of neglected, abused and/or abandoned horses. After they are rehabilitated, they become part of their Therapeutic Equine Program, helping those in need of emotional, spiritual, physical or financial assistance.

The club’s donations are now in excess of $300,000 since its inception.

USHDC events are conducted at Oak Grove each Sunday during the racing season.