Oak Grove, KY – Ontario-based reinsman Brett MacDonald came to Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel with a single drive on the 12-race card. MacDonald not only guided his charge, Saulsbrook Victor, to win the $30,000 Open Pace on Monday (April 7), but he also earned the 2,000th win of his driving career.
Leaving from post five as the even-money favorite, MacDonald landed Saulsbrook Victor to the fore after a :26.3 first quarter with He’zzz A Wise Sky (Marcus Miller) pushing for the pocket spot.
MacDonald managed from there to carve a simple mile, clocking a :55.1 half and 1:23 three-quarters while easily repelling a backstretch push from Muskateer Hanover (Peter Wrenn) on the rim. Saulsbrook Victor strode down the lane to register a 1:50.4 win by 2-1/2 lengths while He’zzz A Wise Sky gave chase from second. Tip Top Cat (Brandon Bates) rallied from near last for third while Out To Get Lucky (Lewayne Miller) sat a ground-saving trip for fourth.
A 7-year-old gelding by Source Of Pride, Saulsbrook Victor has now won 31 times from 118 starts and pushed past the half-million plateau with $506,188 earned for owner Brett MacDonald, whose driving career began 10 years ago at the age of 18. Saulsbrook Victor returned $4.14 to win.
Dale Yeah (Marvin Luna) unleashed an eye-catching rally off cover to notch a three-length victory in a 1:52.1 mile to win the $22,000 co-featured Open 2 Pace earlier on the card. Wayne Oke trains the 4-year-old Tellitlikeitis gelding for owners Mulligan Stables and Calcutta Stable LLC. He paid $6.88 to win.
Racing continues at Oak Grove on Tuesday (April 8) with a 12-race card headlined by the $30,000 Open Trot, carded as Race eight. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:45 p.m. (CDT). For more information on Oak Grove, visit oakgrovegaming.com.