Last season's leading tandem of trainer Erv Miller and driver Atlee Bender made their first appearance in the Oak Grove winner's circle for the 2025 meet when 4-5 favourite Bluebird Deacon emerged from a pocket ride to score a 1:56.2 win in the $24,286 featured trot on the Tuesday afternoon (April 1) card.
Starting from the pylon post, Bender secured the pocket spot as Bee Our Honey (driven by Brandon Bates) crossed to clear the lead to a :27.1 first quarter with 46-1 shot Susies Sister (Jafari Frazier) left parked on the outside. With the longshot caught on the rim, Bee Our Honey rationed speed to a :57.2 half and kept the backfield jammed while he cruised up the backside towards three-quarters in 1:27 to ready for the final-quarter sprint.
Susies Sister retreated on the turn, leaving room for Bluebird Deacon to fan outside and lay aim on Bee Our Honey in the stretch drive. Bluebird Deacon slid forward and held the win by a half length at the beam as It's A Herbie (Verlin Yoder) also shook free from a pylon trip to take second. Bee Our Honey settled for third and Oh Boy (Pat Curtin) closed for fourth.
An eight-year-old gelding by Swan For All, Bluebird Deacon won his 17th race from 93 starts and has now earned $318,882. He paid $3.74 to win.
Racing continues at Oak Grove on Monday (April 7). First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:45 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Oak Grove)