Oak Grove, KY — The United States Harness Driving Club had a “double feature” at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Monday (April 8) and top honors went to amateur drivers Cassidy Whitton and Jacob Stillwell, each scoring convincing victories in their respective events.

Whitton used a :27.2 backside blitz back of her own with 12-year-old Kiwi bred horse Zach Maguire N (Bettor’s Delight) and went on to score a handy 7-1/4 length win in 1:53.2 while Stillwell capped off the Monday Oak Grove card with a victory measuring 2-3/4 lengths with the 9-year-old gelding Palomar (Western Ideal) in 1:55.

Whitton, whose career in harness racing began at the age of 16 in 2007, registered her first win of the year and 92nd driving success to go along with her 116th training win as Zach Maguire N earned his first win of the year as well.

The early leader Takeittotheface was second for Peter Kleinhans while Doc’s Papparazzi, shuffled back during the middle stages of the mile, closed fastest of all to finish third for Stillwell.

Zach Maguire N is just $119 short of $350,000 lifetime with $221,611 earned domestically since arriving here in 2018.

In a post race interview, Whitton said, “Well, sometimes you have to get a bit lucky. I really wanted to duck in early but was out the whole way and just kept trying to grind forward. Zach just wanted to race today and he really took off on the backside and, to tell you the truth, it kind of surprised me!”

The “Send It In” Army didn’t seem too surprised as Zach Maguire N went off as third choice, returning $8.58 to win.

Palomar had to pace a mile and 20 yards to get his win as he, too, was outside every step while churning his way forward before wearing down the leader, Lakeside Logic GB, taking charge at the head of the stretch and drawing away late, easily holding all others safe.

Stick With Cramer, saving ground all the way through panels of :27.2, :58.4 and 1:26.2, finished second with Michael Riley in the bike while the sharp closing Business Check, dead last turning for home, used a :27.4 kick home to earn show honors for Carson Conrad.

For Palomar, trained by co-owner Antonio Storer, who owns the gelding in partnership with Mitchell Standardbreds, it was his initial win of the year in 10 starts (29 wins lifetime), sending his career bounty to $387,684. Stillwell, just a month away from turning 25, earned his first win of the year and 32nd lifetime. Off at 94 cents to the dollar, Palomar returned $3.88 to his multitude of faithful.

The United States Harness Driving Club has funded worthy charitable causes to the tune of over $300,000 since its inception due to the generosity of its driving membership donating all driving earnings to benefit, in part, equine retirement organizations, therapeutic programs and many other deserving organizations.