Oak Grove, KY — ”The British are Coming” is the iconic phrase supposedly stated in Paul Revere’s midnight ride, warning the colonists of the British troops nearing before the start of the Revolutionary War. History has come to show that Revere did not say those famous words, but the British did arrive at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming in the form of 26-year-old Noah Stanley as he promptly won his first race here in the USA in the United States Harness Driving Club feature on April 14.
Stanley guided the 5-year-old Fear The Dragon gelding Seriously Feared to a handy three length win for trainer Gary Campbell and owner the elder Noah Stanley, new arrivals from Great Britain.
To cap off the festivities, the “junior” Stanley joined Heather Lancaster, Executive Director of Sanctuary, Inc., in the Oak Grove winner’s circle as the USHDC continued its charitable ways with a donation to begin its 2025 season.
The younger Stanley was in the sulky guiding the stable’s newest arrival for trainer Campbell and the pair teamed up for a 1:55.2 win, this after a contested opening panel of :27.4, taking charge from Dontinvitemein and driver Travis Williams, Jr. and Dakota Jack, with Jesse Barnard in the bike. Once on top, Seriously Feared paced subsequent panels of :57.3 and 1:26 with a :29.2 final sealing the win. La Parka, driven by Jill Brown, rallied for third.
Chatting with the Brit after the race, the younger Stanley said, “Mr. Campbell told me to ‘just stay out of trouble’ and I figured the only way to do that is try and make the top.
“It worked out really great as my horse responded really well when approached by another horse (Dragon Perfect with John Mungillo) around the final bend, and from there he was strong all the way home.”
Seriously Feared, a first time starter at Oak Grove, earned his initial win of the year in nine starts to send his career bankroll to $62,226 and rewarded his faithful with a $25.12 mutuel.
Festivities continued in the Oak Grove winner’s circle with the USHDC presenting Sanctuary, Inc. with a donation to continue their work on behalf of those that have suffered domestic violence and assault.
Said USHDC President Dein Spriggs: “You know, this is all made possible by the generosity of our members who donate 100% of their earnings driving in these events to our cause, and, further, we appreciate the help of of Kevin Mack and Cara Collins, who put our amateur club races on so we all can continue with our club’s work, which, benefits local worthy recipients, ultimately stretching outward to national organizations.”
Lancaster added, “We so much appreciate the generosity of the driving club, as it enables us to fund our crisis lines, counseling and therapy sessions, our legal and medical advocacy events and work on behalf of affected children.”