Oak Grove, KY – Amateur driver Christina Grubich stole the show as the United States Harness Driving Club had a pair of co-features at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Monday (April 13).
The 35-year-old Grubich, a Las Vegas native now residing in Markleville, IN, annexed both USHDC events, first, with the 14-1 outsider, Betustay (Stay Hungry) and, finally, with the 6-5 tote-board favorite, Er Rocky (Aracache Hanover), both trained by veteran Trent Stohler, whose stable co-owns both winners with John Grubich with Tim Graber also a co-owner in Er Rocky.
Betustay kicked off the festivities from the outside eight post with trainer Stohler advising his “partner” to “put him in play” and see where you can go with him.
“Last week, she (Christina) couldn’t get him in the ballgame as there were a lot of leavers early, but he showed some solid pace (1:24 and a piece for the final 3/4s) and got a check”
At the outset this week, there were speedsters off the wings, as well, with Holden Steady, driven by Dein Spriggs winning that early war over Just A Start, handled by Danarius Dortch with Betustay joining the gray double-bubbled during a very difficult :26.3 opener.
Betustay kept grinding forward and took charge a couple of strides prior to a :55.3 half mile.
During a :27.4 third panel, Betustay stretched his lead to a pair of lengths with only Beach Vibes, with Peter Kleinhans handling the Iines, beginning to gnaw away with that one’s :29.2 finale a half length short as Betustay hit the wire in 1:53.1.
Just A Start was third with Talk Racy To Me next for Jalen Gray and Holden Steady picked up the nickel.
Butustay rewarded his faithful with a $30.32 mutuel in recording his third win in eight starts this year and vaulting his lifetime bankroll over the $100,000 mark—$104,095.
The rugged veteran Er Rocky had a much easier tie for Ms. Grubich in the USHDC finale, sprinting home in :29.1 to score by 5-1/2 lengths over a late charging Dontinvitemein, with Matthew Wilson in the bike.
D A Wicked Shine, prominent throughout the mile, was another neck back in third while War Of Will, driven by Cassidy Whitton was fourth and Swing Dancing picked up the final award for John Mungillo.
It was War Of Will that cut the mustard in that event, posting panels of :26, 55.4 and 1:24 as D A Wicked Shine was in the cozy pocket with Seriously Feared the first to pull to gt within about a length of the leader. Er Rocky got the perfect second over journey and was ready to pounce once they straightened away for the drive home.
And pounce he did, lengthening his winning margin five-and-a-half lengths on the line.
Er Rocky paid $4.52 to his faithful and recorded his 25th lifetime win in the process, sending his career earnings to $271,267.
As for Ms. Grubich, the day was one of many milestones.
First, having driven only sparingly since her entrée into the sport in 2023, she has driven in only 26 races but has compiled a respectable “batting average” of .288 with a 4-5-4 scorecard.
This was her fourth lifetime win and first since August 21, 2024 when she won the Spring Haven Farm Ladies Annie Oakley Shootout at Greenville with the Stohler trained 4-year-old mare Under the Desk.
And, of course, this was also her first lifetime driving double.
The USHDC is in its 30th year and had provided vital charitable contributions to local, regional and nation-wide organizations with the next scheduled beneficiary being the Steele Magnolia Sanctuary on April 27.
That Sanctuary provides permanent refuse for abused and neglected horses where they can live out their lives enjoying peace, healing and hope for others as they become the healers to children and adults through therapeutic equine assisted activities.