Oak Grove, KY — Back in 1990, a young 2-year-old No Nukes filly made her first start on the racetrack. Her name was Steel Magnolia and her first start on the racetrack proved to be her last start in a career that lasted about 2:00 — give or take a fifth of a second.

Fast forward to 2017, when Bob and Julie Scarborough responded to the growing need to rescue horses — many of which were abandoned, abused and neglected and destined for the “kill pen” — by forming the Steele Magnolia Sanctuary.

USHDC drivers and Oak Grove personnel joined Steele Magnolia Sanctuary co-founder Julie Scarborough in the winner’s circle as the USHDC again made a $1,000 donation to the Sanctuary. Mark Herron photo.

On Monday (April 22), the United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC), in cooperation with Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, put Steele Magnolia Sanctuary in the winner’s circle to receive yet another $1,000 contribution for their efforts.

The USHDC had made a donation to Steele Magnolia Sanctuary last year at Oak Grove and continued the tradition as Oak Grove Racing and Gaming presented two USHDC events in continued support of the club and its charitable endeavors.

Steele Magnolia Sanctuary co-founder Julie Scarborough said, “Our goal was not only to save horses, but also to help veterans, first responders and children that had experienced bullying or who suffered from attention-deficit disorders and afford them the help they could use in their lives.”

By 2019 and with 19 acres of land to fulfill their dreams for others, Steele Magnolia Sanctuary became a reality with 501(c)3 charitable status to save horses and retrain them to be used in their new careers in therapeutic equine assisted activities.

“Our mission,” she continued, “is to provide a permanent refuge for these horses and give them the kindness and compassion they deserve and then train those horses — usually taking a year or so — to offer peace, healing and future hope for children and adults from 3 years old to 93.”

USHDC treasurer Tom. Eichas said, “The Oak Grove Racing and Gaming facility deserves so much credit for allowing our club to participate here and continue our charitable efforts, which now total well over $300,000 since our inception, so ‘hats off’ to Kevin Mack and company.

“Steele Magnolia Sanctuary does an incredible service to our industry being a grand sanctuary for our equine athletes, but also for hosting kids camps during the summer months.

“It’s an honor for our club to give them some support for all they do.”

(By the way, all donations are welcome and tax deductible and can be made via check to Steele Magnolia Sanctuary 3441 Kinneys Rd., Cedar Hill, TN 37032 or online at their website at steelemagnoliasanctuary.com.)

As for the racing, Oak Grove carded the two USHDC events with Caviart Camden and Rockin M reporting to the winner’s circle in their respective races.

Caviart Camden (Huntsville) got patient handling in the garden spot throughout the mile and drew off turning for home and took 19-year-old driver Carson Conrad to the wire in 1:51.2, scoring by 3-3/4 lengths over Zach Maguire N, handled by Cassidy Whitton. Merito Hanover, with Tony Dinges handling the lines, was next.

Conrad sent his charge away alertly from the inside post and relented to Zack Maguire N prior to the hot :27.1 opener and then stalked the rest of the way through subsequent panels of :54.3 and 1:22.4 before drawing away in the final panel and finally sprinting on by once they straightened away.

In a post race interview, Carson related, “You know, I have been blessed to learn this trade from a great horseman — my dad, Charlie Conrad — and he taught me everything I know so far. He taught me how to do things and how to be patient and all he taught me today put me in the winner’s circle.

“Caviart Camden is a really good horse who took a record of (1):48 and a piece as a 2-year-old and he made me look good today.”

Trained by Maria Alvarez for Friendship Stables, Caviart Camden, enjoying his first taste in amateur events this season, won for the fourth time in 11 starts, sending his 2024 earnings to $25,850 and $278,851 lifetime. Off at 65 cents to a dollar, the winner paid $3.30.

The other USHDC pace went to Rockin M (Pet Rock) for Jacob Stillwell in 1:55.2. The 9-year-old gelding enjoyed a close and covered up trip throughout the mile before finding room late to score by three parts of a length over Lakeside Logic GB and driver Tony Dinges. Rock Steady Ron was next for Peter Kleinhans.

Trained by Antonia Storer for Cjatpr Stable, Rockin M earned his first win of the year in eight starts, good for $17,240 this semester and $296,851 lifetime. Rockin M paid $5.18 as second choice in the betting.

Driver Jacob Stillwell, who turns 25 on May 7, now has 33 career wins.