The United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC) had a triple header at Shenandoah Downs on Saturday, April 20 with Jack McNeil, Brian Tomlinson and Stacey McLenaghan each reaching the winner’s circle in their respective events.
McNeil gave the six-year-old mare KKs Dream Girl a picture perfect drive and squeaked by in the very last stride to nip and lip Ladythefourtheenth, handled by Kubi Erzene, in 1:58.4. Freddie Faves, with Kevin Altig in the sulky, on the outside looking in the whole mile (and 20 yards), finished a game third, less than two lengths away, while Hey Siri, driven by Stacey McLenaghan, finished fourth, a neck better than Ponderance, teamed with Adrian Wisher Jr., that picked up the nickel.
Away alertly when the wings folded, McNeil took charge with KKs Dream Girl and yielded to Lindythefourteenth just a stride or two before the :28.4 opener with Freddie Faves outside and joining the early fray. Through panels of :58.4 and 1:29, KKs Dream Girl was patiently placed with Freddie Faves along side and Ponderance on a “double-bubble” binge but found room to roam in the stretch to eke by.
Trained by Archie Buford for owner/breeder Dale Witcher II, the six-year-old Mysticism mare KKs Dream Girl kicked off her 2024 season with her ninth career win to send her career bounty to $59,502.
McNeil, known primarily for his training prowess, earned his first driving success of the year in USHDC amateur events.
The winner paid $9.40 as the third choice in the betting.
Brian Tomlinson, driving the 3-10 favourite, Antaeus, went grinding his way forward the final half mile and reached the wire three-parts of a length ahead of a stubborn Fox Valley Mondo, with Kubi Erzene in the sulky, in 1:56.2. Ive Got Hootspa, with Jack McNeil in the bike, was next, followed by Etbaur, teamed with Stacey McLengahan. So Take That, with Alexandra Golden handing the lines, earned the final award.
Both Fox Valley Mondo and Etbauer left with alacrity and they were “one-two” at the opening marker in :27.1 with Antaeus neatly tucked in third. Halfway through the mile in :56.4, Antaeus was out and churning forward and that one drew on even terms with Fox Valley Mondo at the third station in 1:26.2. Antaeus finally stuck his head in front and gradually put a bit more distance on his game opponent in the final few strides.
Trained by Charles Perry, Jr., who co-owns with Jason Fitzgerald, Antaeus earned his first win of the year in four starts vaulting his lifetime earnings to $44,047. It was the four-year-old Heston Blue Chip gelding's ninth career win and the win mutuel was $2.60.
For Tomlinson, also known for his success primarily as a trainer, it was 66th career driving victory.
Stacey McLenaghan drove the eight-year-old American Ideal gelding Ideal Perfect Ten to a sharp gate-to-wire win measuring 5-1/2 lengths—sealing the issue with a :29 finale after splits of :28.1, :57.3 and 1:26.2.
Rightthererightnow, in the garden spot all the way, finished second for Adrian Wisher, Jr, while Need Arocket, last in this quintet turning for home, rallied for third with pilot Jack McNeil. Never Easy Z Tam was fourth for Brian Tomlinson while Baltimore Jack N, driven by Kuri Erzene, was next after a sharp half mile brush and making a mild bid at the third station.
John Wagner owns and trains the winner, who now has 21 career wins—two this semester—and $160,801 in bounty.
In a post-race interview, McLenaghan related, “John [trainer Wagner] said that this horse is kinda hard to hold so just put him on the gate and let him do his thing.
“I put his nose one the gate. He was ready and willing and made me look real good. He still had lots left at the end of the mile.”
Going postwar as the slight 7-5 favourite, Ideal Perfect Ten paid $4.80 to win.
For McLenaghan, also known for her training success as she approached her 400th career training win, she has also proven her prowess in the sulky as she now has 49 lifetime wins and a 2024 “batting average” of 367 with a 7-3-7 scorecard in 30 starts in the sulky.
Wagner had a training triple on the Woodstock program with Corey Braden in the sulky back of Sanders Hanover, paying $16.40, and Race Eye, returning $6.40.
The USHDC has donated over $300,000 USD to worthy causes since its inception as all members donate 100 per cent of their earnings driving in amateur races for charitable distribution.
(USHDC)