On Sunday (June 26), eight $25,000 divisions of the newly established Oak Grove Early Sire Stakes Series for two-year-old Kentucky-bred trotters and pacers took place at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.
Wind Chime (Father Patrick-Wind Stroll) was the first entrant on the card to visit the winner’s circle. Driven by Andy Miller and trained by his wife Julie, the filly is now two-for-two in her young career and stopped the clock in 1:56.3. Princess Caitlyn (Tactical Landing-Social Success) was second with Yannick Gingras holding the lines for Ron Burke. Yo Rebecca (Bar Hopping-Starlet Rules) was third for driver/trainer Verlin Yoder.
Owned by Andy Miller Stable, Gty Stable, Walter Zent and Tony Holmes, Wind Chime has banked $18,350. She was a $60,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sibling to Fast As The Wind (sired by Cantab Hall, career earnings of $713,227), Windy Corner (Yankee Glide, $207,576), Evening Stroll (Cantab Hall, $147,467). Fast As The Wind was second in his Breeders Crown final last year and recently captured the $251,000 Goodtimes Stakes.
Una Madonna (Tactical Landing-Unica Donna It) took the second division in 1:55.1 with Anthony McDonald in the bike for trainer Jason Robinson. The filly is now two-for-two for The Stable Una Madonna Group, Hutchison Harness and Never 2 Late Stable.
A $100,000 Lexington Selected Sale yearling, Una Madonna was the post-time favourite. She was followed home by Railee Something (International Moni-Railee Priti) for Todd Warren and Roger Cullipher. When Love Walks In (Father Patrick-Flyer Mel) was third for Aaron Merriman and Chris Beaver.
Beaver and Merriman won the third division with Fuzzy Dice (International Moni-Roll Sevens) in 1:57.2. Halekai Ill (Father Patrick-Absolutely Divine) was second as the favourite for Christian Lind and Rodney Debeck. Boudicca (Father Patrick-Demoiselle Hanover) was third for Tony Hall and Anette Lorentzon.
Owned by Beaver, William Rufenacht, Donald Robinson and VIP Stable, Fuzzy Dice is the first foal out of her unraced dam and was bought for $20,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. This was her first pari-mutuel mile.
Calgary (Downbytheseaside-Sweetest Emotion) took the fourth division in 1:54 with Gingras holding the lines for Ryan Miller. Owned by Diamond Creek Racing, the filly captured her first start with a swift :26 final quarter-mile. Calgary was ahead of Prideful (Always B Miki-Baby Cat) for Andy and Julie Miller. Keepmysecret (Captaintreacherous-Lifesliltreaure) was third for Hall and Lorentzon.
Calgary is the second foal out of her dam, who earned $142,360 in her racing career. Sweetest Emotion is a half-sibling to Dan Patch Award winner Captain Crunch.
Hungry For Love (Stay Hungry-Lover Of Art) scored in the sixth division for Gingras and Burke. Owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon, the filly tripped the timer in 1:54.2. It was her second career start and first victory. Seaside Baby (Downbytheseaside-Thong) was second for Trevor Smith and Todd Luther. My Nay Nay (Captaintreacherous-Well Sweet Flashy) was third for Brett Miller and Tony Alagna.
Hungry For Love is a half sibling to Rock Me Baby (Rock N Roll Heaven, $394,523), Art Scene (American Ideal, $545,240) and Summer Charm (Bettors Delight, $468,081). The filly went through the ring for $80,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
The Nancy Takter-trained Cant Stop Lou (Sweet Lou-Cant Stop Me Now) provided Gingras with another sire stakes win on the card. Owned by Nancy Takter And Jaf Racing, Rojan Stables, R A W Equine and Jeffrey Bell, the colt was clocked in 1:54.1 in his career debut. Day Trader (Stay Hungry-Day To Ponder) was second for Doug and Gregg McNair. Misterternahkey (Racing Hill-Aint Giving Up) was third for Jamaal Denson and John Hughes.
Cant Stop Lou is a full sibling to Fortify ($462,287). He was purchased for $40,000 at the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale.
Andy and Julie Miller were the winning team behind Espresso (Chapter Seven-Biscotti) for their second score in the day’s stakes. Espresso broke behind the gate but rebounded to produce a 1:57.4 mile. Over And Back (Trixton-Chim Swift) was second for Merriman and Beaver. Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) was third for Yoder.
Owned by Andy Miller Stable, Louis Willinger, Mortgage Boys Stable and L Berg Inc., Espresso is the first foal out of his unraced dam. He was purchased at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $45,000.
Whole Nother (Nuncio-Undersong) took the final sire stakes leg in 1:58.4 for Doug and Gregg McNair. He was followed across the line by Five Stars (Walner-Superstar Hanover) for Lind and Marcus Melander. Brodeur (Tactical Landing-Sleep Tight My Luv) was third for Hall and Lorentzon.
Owned by Gregg McNair and Douglas Lockheart, Whole Nother is the first foal out of his unraced dam. He was a $15,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale.
Oak Grove will host eight $25,000 divisions for sophomore trotter and pacers on Monday (June 27).
The Oak Grove Early Sire Stakes series consists of two $25,000 legs, a $25,000 consolation and $100,000 final. The second leg for two-year-olds will be July 3 and for three-year-olds on July 4. The consolations and finals for two-year-olds will be held July 17 and for three-year-olds on July 18.
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel features live harness racing on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. First post is 3 p.m. EST.
(With files from Kentucky Harness Association)