Oak Grove, KY – Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel carried the fervor from a historic running of the Kentucky Derby into a jam-packed day of harness racing stakes on Monday (May 4) that saw a pair of track records established in the eliminations for the Oak Grove Trotting Oaks and Oak Grove Trotting Derby as well as a day of betting that annihilated the previous handle record for the Southwest Kentucky track.
Chris Beaver pupil Endurance (driven by Andy McCarthy), who set the track record for 2-year-old trotting colts last year, added another Oak Grove track record to his resume with a fierce 1:51.3 effort in his seasonal debut, muscling first-up for the win in the third of three $50,000 eliminations for the Oak Grove Trotting Derby. McCarthy waited in third with the 1-2 favorite while Big Ranger (Ronnie Gillespie) hustled to lead in a :27.1 first quarter and continued through a :56 half, at which point Endurance angled off the pylons and built his momentum in the backstretch. Endurance hit his best stride after three-quarters in 1:23 and collared Big Ranger coming off the final turn before spurting away for a 1-1/2-length win over AI (Yannick Gingras), who popped off a pocket trip for second. Nix Nacken (Dexter Dunn) earned the last berth into the final in third and Big Ranger tired to fourth.
Lowering the previous track record set last year by Yannick G Kemp of 1:52.3, Endurance added a seventh win to his card from nine starts and has now earned $582,450 for owners Super Endurance Stable, Bill Manes, Leo Fleming and Mark Moger. The colt by Captain Corey-Love Session paid $3.18 to win.
Andy’s younger brother Todd McCarthy uncorked a track-record effort in the first of three $30,000 eliminations for the Oak Grove Trotting Oaks while landing a 14-1 stunner with Noel Daley trainee Naked And Famous in a 1:51.2 mile. McCarthy motored his charge out of post 7 to a snug lead in a steep :26.4 opener and carried her speed through a :55.3 half and a sprint to three-quarters in 1:22.3 to successfully string along her competition. Naked And Famous spun for home on a widening lead and hit the beam 7-1/2 lengths better than 2-1 favorite Jailbird Jog (Anthony MacDonald) closing for second. Carve (Andy McCarthy) gave pursuit from a pocket trip for third to earn the last spot into the final while Wishuponastar Deo (Jason Bartlett) finished fourth.
Naked And Famous, a daughter of Six Pack-Sleep Tight My Luv, won her fifth race from 13 starts and has now earned $196,950 for owner CTC Stable. She lowered the track record for 3-year-old trotting fillies of 1:51.4 set two years ago by Woman Of Passion and paid $31.90 to win.
Breeders Crown winner Spencer Hanover scored in the first of the Oak Grove Trotting Derby eliminations on the day, delivering as the 2-5 favorite in a 1:53.4 effort. After a pair of breaks early from Premier Bluebird (Kyle Wilfong) and Ceo Joe (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.), Spencer Hanover floated towards the lead past a :28 first quarter to pocket early leader Geologic (Yannick Gingras) and strolled from there through middle fractions of :27.3 and 1:25.3. He coasted to the finish 2-3/4 lengths better than Geologic with Impossible Bi (Marcus Miller) checking in third another 14 lengths behind.
Marcus Melander trains Spencer Hanover, a colt by Chapter Seven-Secret Passion, for owners Jeff Snyder and Arthur Pronti. He paid $2.86 to win.
Trainer Matt Burkholder took the top two spots in the other Oak Grove Trotting Derby elimination with 2-5 favorite Silverstein (David Miller) scampering to a 1:52.3 win over stablemate Requiem (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.). Miller brushed Silverstein to the lead out of post 3 after a :27.1 opener and pocketed Requiem on the way to a :56.2 half. He held steady speed up the backstretch as Chapel (Stephane Guelpa) mildly pushed uncovered on the rim until stalling on the march to three-quarters in 1:24.2. As Chapel retreated, Miller accelerated for home with Silverstein and held a snug advantage while drifting in the stretch for a two-length victory over Requiem. Kingmen (Jason Bartlett) kicked from second-over for third to make the final and Lethal Legacy (Todd McCarthy) finished fourth.
Naked And Famous, with Todd McCarthy, set a track record with her victory in the first of three $30,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks eliminations. Tony Centonze Photography.
Silverstein collected his fifth win from 13 starts, earning $395,340 for owner Dark Horse Farm LLC. He paid $2.88 to win.
A few races after Naked And Famous surprised on the lead, odds-on favorite Victorianas Secret (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) cruised to a 1:53.3 victory in the second of three Oak Grove Trotting Oaks eliminations. Wrenn secured the point with his charge out of post 7 and pocketed Degas (Anthony MacDonald) into a :27.3 first quarter. Victorianas Secret continued on a comfortable lead to a :57.1 half and through three-quarters in 1:25.1 as Degas swelled from the pocket and readied an attack for the stretch drive. Victorianas Secret responded to the challenge in the lane, staving off Degas in hand by 1-1/2 lengths while longshot Chiquita Ba-beeman (Atlee Bender) snagged the last berth into the final in third. Julie Palema (Tyler Miller) checked in fourth.
Vernon Beachy trains Victorianas Secret, a 3-year-old filly by Tactical Landing-Victoriana, for owner Ryan Smith. She won her third race from 10 starts, earning $100,600 in her career, and paid $2.62 to win.
Custom (Jason Bartlett) landed a knockout blow to 2-5 favorite Setyoursightshigh (Dexter Dunn) in the final Oak Grove Trotting Oaks elimination with an explosive late burst to win in 1:52.4. Bartlett sat mid-pack to a :27.1 first quarter cut by Setyoursightshigh and raced locked at the pylons by parked Burningforyourlove (Stephane Guelpa) as she soon flushed cover from Ginger Tree Lex (Andy McCarthy) in fourth. Bartlett continued mired in traffic to a :55.4 half and gradually inched off the pylons in a tight pocket while Setyoursightshigh strode handily to three-quarters in 1:24.1 under a slight challenge from first-up Country Glide (David Miller). Setyoursightshigh quickened for home as Country Glide faltered, giving room for pocket-sitter Little Road (Brady Brown) to take a late shot. But Bartlett found clearance out of the two path to the center of the track in the stretch and swiftly reached top gear to nail Setyoursightshigh at the line by a half length. Little Road held third to qualify for the final while Country Glide settled for fourth.
Per Engblom trains Custom, a filly by Walner-Goldy Mary FR, for owners Engblom Farm LLC and Thomas Lind-Holm. She won her fourth race from nine starts, earning $61,320 in her career, and paid $8.78 to win.
The top three finishers from each elimination will go through an open draw for their respective finals, the $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks. The pair of finals are the headline events at Oak Grove on Preakness Saturday (May 16), the culminating day of the $2.75 million Festival of Racing and a card that will be followed by a concert from country music star Jake Owen. Post time for the special Saturday card is 12:45 p.m. (CDT).
Yo Tillie Equals Oak Grove Track Record
Yo Tillie (Todd McCarthy) emerged the top performer from the seven divisions of Kentucky Sire Stakes (KYSS) second preliminary on the Monday undercard with a track-record equaling 1:51.4 mile to win the lone $50,000 division for 4-year-old trotting mares. She worked past a revved Winnpanzee (Yannick Gingras) to the lead in a :26.3 first quarter and continued at a solid clip of :55.1 and 1:23 all while Winnpanzee followed intently from second. R Dutchess (Tim Tetrick) mounted a first-over bid but plateaued into the lane, locking Winnpanzee in the pocket until the final sixteenth. She attempted a late attack on Yo Tillie but came calling too late as McCarthy crossed the line a measured winner by three-quarters of a length. R Dutchess held third and Best Friends Girl (David Miller) finished fourth.
Equaling the track record for aged trotting mares set three years ago by Yanaba, Yo Tillie won her 21st race from 26 starts, earning $1.33 million. Andrew Harris trains the daughter of Tactical Landing-Consolidator for owner Punisher 11 Stable LLC. She paid $2.62 to win.
Gimpanzee Dancer (David Miller) took top honors with a 1:51.2 victory in the first of two KYSS divisions for 4-year-old trotting horses and geldings. Miller followed tempo-setter My Degenerate (Tyler Miller) from third to a :26.4 first quarter but inherited the pocket past a :55.4 half when Whiskey Wow (Atlee Bender) bobbled into a gallop. Gimpanzee Dancer gradually reeled in My Degenerate on the march to three-quarters in 1:23.3 and pounced with ease in the lane for a half-length victory. Boots N Beer (Joey Putnam) finished third, another five lengths behind, and Royel Comet (Marvin Luna) took fourth.
Chris Beaver trains Gimpanzee Dancer, a stallion by Gimpanzee-Weslynn Dancer, and co-owns him with Carolina Acosta and Derek Ivany. He won his third race from five starts this season and his ninth race from 34 starts in his career, earning $389,667, and paid $2.46 to win.
Go Dog Go (Todd McCarthy) rolled comfortably in the other KYSS dash for trotting males, romping in a 1:52 effort. McCarthy floated towards the lead while wide of breaker Herecomesdajudge (Tyler Miller) passing a :27.2 first quarter and planted on the point heading for the second turn. After clicking a :56.1 half, Go Dog Go began peeling away from pocket-sitter Fifty Rivers (Dexter Dunn) and first-up Vugoo (David Miller) passing three-quarters in 1:23.3. He widened his lead more under a strong hold in the stretch to cross the line 7-1/4 lengths better than Vugoo with Fifty Rivers finishing third and Te Quiero Lindy (Andy McCarthy) taking fourth.
Carter Pinske trains Go Dog Go, a stallion by Greenshoe-Primary Target, for owners Wiesman Farms LLC and Al Libfeld. He won his ninth race from 24 starts, earning $661,235, and paid $2.26 to win.
Harrisburg Heist (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) landed the quickest win in the pair of KYSS splits for 4-year-old pacing males that bookended the 15-race card, stopping the clock in 1:50. Wrenn mounted a first-over attack out of fourth after early fractions of :27 and :55.3 carved by stablemate Banderas (Yannick Gingras) and swiftly drew to equal terms with the leader passing three-quarters in 1:22.3. Turning for home, Harrisburg Heist pushed past Banderas with ease and withstood a late charge from Higher Ground (David Miller) to hold on to the victory by a length. Higher Ground, rallying off a pocket trip, settled for second with Banderas finishing third and Bourbon County (Dexter Dunn) finishing fourth.
Ron Burke trains Harrisburg Heist, a gelding by Downbytheseaside-Cashaway, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Knox Services Inc., Phillip Collura and Weaver Bruscemi LLC. The gelding won his 14th race from 33 starts, earning $600,202 in his career, and paid $5.18 to win.
Crack Shot (Doug McNair) delivered a snug 1:51.3 win at 1-9 odds in the first KYSS division for pacing males. McNair circled the heavy favorite to the lead after a :27.1 first quarter and strolled through middle splits of :55.3 and 1:23.3 before wrapping up the mile an easy winner by 1-1/2 lengths. Somelousomewhere (Tim Tetrick) closed first-over for second with Captain Arturovico (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) rallying off a ground-saving trip for third and pocket-sitter Delray Beach (Todd McCarthy) tiring to fourth.
Winning in his seasonal debut, Crack Shot collected his 12th victory from 25 starts and has now earned $563,733 for co-owner Gregg McNair, who also trains the son of Bettor’s Delight-Beautyonthebeach, and partners Dale Hunter, Frank Brundle and George Kerr. He paid $2.18 to win.
Unreasonable (Dexter Dunn) vaulted off a helmet to score the faster win of the two KYSS splits for 4-year-old pacing mares with a 1:49.1 effort as the 3-5 favorite. Dunn bided his time while Duration (David Miller) sped to the point and cut quick fractions of :26, :54.2 and 1:21.1 before slowing for home. Odds On Chesapeake (Todd McCarthy) pulled off the pylons from third moving to the final turn and reached for the pacesetter while Dunn, perching onto her cover, launched three wide through the last turn and hit her best stride into the lane. Unreasonable pushed past her rivals and crossed the line 1-1/4 lengths better than Odds On Chesapeake while Champagne Room (Yannick Gingras) shook free from a locked-pocket trip for third. Duration held fourth.
Andrew Harris trains Unreasonable, a daughter of Huntsville-Roaring To Go, for owner Punisher 11 Stable LLC. She won her 13th race from 28 starts, earning $771,634 in her career, and paid $3.44 to win.
Rose (Ronnie Wrenn Jr.) delivered as the odds-on favorite in the other KYSS split off a similar second-over trip to stop the clock in 1:50.1. Wrenn waited in fourth as Aintnothingucando (Yannick Gingras) fired for the lead into a :26.2 first quarter and parked The Last Martini (Doug McNair), who remained at the leader’s side passing the stands. Rose eventually edged off the cones to catch cover from The Last Martini after a :54.3 half and readied a three-wide charge past three-quarters in 1:22.2. Rose kicked strongly for the finish and overhauled Aintnothingucando in the stretch to notch a half-length victory with Caviart Delight (Todd McCarthy), emerging from a locked pocket late, taking third. The Last Martini held fourth.
Ron Burke trains Rose, a daughter of Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose, for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Jack Piatt III and Larry Karr. The mare won her fourth race from six starts this season and her 11th race from 27 starts in her career, earning $545,702. She paid $3.88 to win.
Oak Grove Crushes Handle Record
Gamblers showed up with incredible enthusiasm for the blockbuster day of stakes racing at Oak Grove on Monday, which featured just over $600,000 in purses. The 15-race card easily became the biggest betting day in the six-year history of the track with $873,180.47 wagered, besting the previous handle record from last year of $582,666.19 by 50 percent. With the seven-figure milestone one day in sight for the budding track in Southwest Kentucky, Oak Grove wishes to thank all of the drivers, trainers, owners, bettors and the entire Oak Grove racing and broadcasting team who have been instrumental in the track’s stellar growth over just six years and continue to share a belief and vision in the ever-improving racing product at Oak Grove.
Racing at Oak Grove continues with the $2.75 million Festival of Racing on Tuesday (May 5) with a 14-race card. Oak Grove will also have a special card of racing on Sunday (May 10) for Mother’s Day and will also host corgi races alongside the day’s harness racing action. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:10 p.m. (CDT). For more information, visit oakgrovegaming.com. Be sure to book your VIP experience for the Oak Grove Trotting Derby day at oakgrovederby.com.