Oak Grove, KY — In yet another of harness racing’s “bang-bang” finishes fashioned by Racing Secretary Kevin Mack at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, Stun Gun (Always B Miki), driven by Shae Vandervort, fired off a lethal bullet in the stretch and won the United States Harness Driving Club’s feature on Monday (June 10), stopping the clock in 1:56.1.

Seth Hanover, who cut all the fractions — :28.4, :57.1 and 1:26.1 — was nailed at the wire in finishing second with the fastest closing Pictonian Thunder, with Carson Conrad in the sulky, just another nose back in third.

Stun Gun, driven by Shae Vandervort, stunned his competition to win the USHDC pace. Mark Herron photo.

The 5-year-old gelding Stun Gun began his journey from the second tier and was well back for the first half-mile in seventh and began improving his position at the third station before finding some room to roam, catching the leader Seth Hanover in the final strides while holding off the thunderous close of Pictonian Thunder.

In a post-race interview, owner and trainer Roni Vandervort said, “You know, he’s an athlete — an equine athlete — and athletes can get injured on occasion. He’s always had potential and we’ve been very patient to bring that potential out in him. That patience finally paid off in his race and I am very proud of him and, of course, for Shae, who handled him to perfection.”

It was the first win of the season for Stun Gun; in fact, it was his first win in a pari-mutuel event since Dec. 2, 2022 at Harrah’s Philadelphia. Off as fifth choice in the field of 10, Stun Gun rewarded his faithful with a $17.88 mutuel.