Oak Grove, KY — Redemption Ranch was harness racing’s big winner at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Sunday (June 18),

Never heard of Redemption Ranch? Well, that’s because Redemption Ranch is not a horse, but the latest beneficiary of the United States Harness Drivers Club (formerly the Florida Amateur Driving Club). The USHDC, with over $300,000 in donations since its inception, is on a roll these days having made six contributions during the Oak Grove meeting with Redemption Ranch the latest.

Driver Zachery Highers was in the Oak Grove winner’s circle as the USHDC made a contribution to Redemption Ranch. Mark Herron photo.

A 501-C3 organization, the “Ranch” provides a safe, fun, encouraging and peaceful environment for those going through difficult journeys in life. Equine assisted learning and horsemanship aids those in need by building confidence, communication skills and healthy attitudes and coping skills.

Of course, the USHDC has many heroic members but on Sunday Tony Dinges and Zachery Highers were the stars under the warm Bluegrass skies, winning their respective events in amateur competition.

Dinges, who has now won seven events during the Oak Grove meet to lead all amateur drivers, scored a come-from-behind 1:54.4 win with the 9-year-old Reggie Raider (McAdrle), hitting the wire 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Feelin Lika Winner, who was disqualified and placed seventh for interference, allowing Pacific Stride, handled by Highers, to move up a notch with Swiss Bank Hanover, driven by Dein Spriggs, elevated to third.

In a post-race interview, Dinges once again shed the spotlight and focused on the “Ranch” by saying: “Yes, the strategy changed from last week’s win on the engine, but the real winner was the Redemption Ranch and what they do for so many in need. It’s all about them today…it’s all about them!”

Also trained by Dinges for owner Dawnelle Mock, Reggie Raider won for the fourth time this semester to send his seasonal bounty to $24,613 and $218,847 lifetime. The winner went off at 78 cents on the dollar and returned $3.56 to his multitude of faithful.

The other USHDC event went to Mel’s Vicki Lou (Riggins), driven by Highers for trainer Joe Putnam. Surviving an early skirmish through an opening panel of :26.4, this 5-year-old mare led at every pole thereafter, clicking off panels of :56.4 and 1:25.2 before a :28.3 finale sealed the deal over Gunrneedabgrboat A, with Carson Conrad in the bike. Hoosier Shooter, driven by Jafari Frazier, was next.

For the 31-year-old Highers, who has been in the sulky only sparingly over the years, it was his first win in almost five years and third lifetime.

Owned by. J P Racing along with Michael Lee, Mel’s Vicki Lou was highly regarded by the Oak Grove masses and paid $3.90 to win and vaulted her seasonal bounty to $23,145 and $122,496 career-wise.