Oak Grove, KY – Four more standout 2-year-old trotters have punched their tickets to the eliminations for the 2027 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oaks following major Sire Stakes Championship victories over the weekend.
In the colt division, Fifty and Famous secured an automatic qualifying berth in the eliminations for the 2027 $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby with a victory in the $250,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Championship for 2-year-old trotting colts at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (Oct. 9).
Driven by Trace Tetrick for trainer Luis Quevedo, Fifty and Famous is owned by John Barnard and has increased his bankroll to $193,350.
Also in the colt division, Detonater Hanover earned a spot by winning the $350,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for 2-year-old trotting colts at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Oct. 10) in a stakes record 1:52.2. Driven by Tyler Moore for trainer and father Ian Moore, Detonater Hanover increased his career earnings to $529,232. He is owned by Detonater Hanover Stable.
In the filly division, Redice earned her automatic qualifying spot in the eliminations to the 2027 $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks by capturing the $250,000 Indiana Sire Stakes Championship for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Friday at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Driven by Atlee Bender for trainer Erv Miller, Redice posted a 1:55.3 win for owners Ervin Miller Stable, Inc., Anthony Lombardi and Stepbystep Racing.
Also in the filly division, Verily earned a spot by winning the $350,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final for 2-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday. Driven by Louis-Philippe Roy for trainer Meg Crone and owner Bill Donovan, Verily increased her career earnings to $431,575 in a stakes record time of 1:52.3.
The “Road to…” series was established to reward top 2-year-old trotting performances and enrich Oak Grove’s premier events. A series of designated Grand Circuit and Sire Stakes races serve as automatic qualifying events to the Derby and Oaks eliminations.
Road to the Oak Grove Trotting Derby (Colts)
| Date | Automatic Qualifying Race | 2026 Race Winner |
| 8/8/2026 | New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship | Lifetime Dreamer |
| 8/29/2026 | William Wellwood | Ocean Storm |
| 9/7/2026 | Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship | Jimdougie Armitage |
| 9/12/2026 | Ohio Sire Stakes Championship (Scarlet) | Cool Julio |
| 9/12/2026 | New York Sire Stakes Championship | Uncle Rob |
| 9/18/2026 | Peter Haughton | Swan Good Bi |
| 9/20/2026 | Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series | Whateverittakes AS |
| 9/26/2026 | Mohawk Million | Wrong Sounds Right |
| 10/9/2026 | Indiana Sire Stakes Championship | Fifty and Famous |
| 10/10/2026 | Ontario Sire Stakes Championship (Gold) | Detonater Hanover |
| 10/23/2026 | Breeders Crown 2YO Trot | |
| 11/14/2026 | Valley Victory |
Road to the Oak Grove Trotting Oaks (Fillies)
| Date | Automatic Qualifying Race | 2026 Race Winner |
| 8/8/2026 | New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship | Wall of Fame |
| 8/29/2026 | Peaceful Way | Athena’s Girl |
| 9/7/2026 | Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship | Birr Castle |
| 9/12/2026 | Ohio Sire Stakes Championship (Scarlet) | Blue Ranger |
| 9/12/2026 | New York Sire Stakes Championship | Kountry Plunge |
| 9/18/2026 | Jim Doherty | Birr Castle |
| 9/20/2026 | Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship Series | Wall of Fame |
| 9/25/2026 | Kentuckiana Stallion Management | Climatic Hanover |
| 10/9/2026 | Indiana Sire Stakes Championship | Redice |
| 10/10/2026 | Ontario Sire Stakes Championship (Gold) | Verily |
| 10/23/2026 | Breeders Crown 2YO Filly Trot | |
| 11/14/2026 | Goldsmith Maid |
About Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel is a premier harness racing and gaming destination in Oak Grove, Kentucky, dedicated to providing a world-class experience to guests and supporting the local community. Oak Grove’s annual 36-day race meet is conducted from mid-March through mid-July with average daily purses ranking among the leaders in North America.
About Churchill Downs, Incorporated
Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) has been creating extraordinary entertainment experiences for over 150 years, beginning with the company’s most iconic and enduring asset, the Kentucky Derby. Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, CDI has expanded through the development of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of the TwinSpires horse racing online wagering business and the operation and development of regional casino gaming properties. www.churchilldownsincorporated.com.
About the Kentucky Harness Association
The Kentucky Harness Association exists to promote, support and facilitate growth in the harness industry in Kentucky and to promote and encourage cooperative efforts among racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and drivers, fans, and other industry participants for the overall benefit of the industry. The KHA strives to increase visibility on issues that impact the industry on local, state, and national levels while continuing to promote the Kentucky harness racing and breeding industry. www.kentuckyharness.com.