The $23,611 featured optional-claiming trot on the Tuesday, June 9 card at Oak Grove was declared a no contest following an accident on the last turn involving two horses, both of which emerged uninjured.
The incident took place around the last turn when first-over Youngblood, driven by Archie Buford, took a bad step just outside of the leader Herecomesdajudge (Tyler Miller) and tumbled to the ground. Buford managed to roll off of the bike and remain behind his horse while Outbound Train, driven by Marvin Luna, came through to the inside just close enough for Luna to get dumped out of the bike. Outrider Lacy Toennies swiftly raced to the scene to catch Outbound Train in the stretch, and with the field scattered to the finish, the judges declared the race a no contest. Along with the horses exiting the incident uninjured, both drivers Archie Buford and Marvin Luna were up and walking immediately, but Luna was transported to hospital for precautionary evaluation. As of Tuesday night, Luna was discharged from hospital clear of injuries. Buford continued to drive on the card.
Handsome Stranger found the winner's circle earlier on the card in the feature pace, a $22,222 optional-claiming event, leading at every call in a 1:51.2 mile. Devon Tharps hustled the Per Engblom trainee out of post five and cleared him to command in a :26.2 first quarter before grabbing a breather to a :55.2 half. At the midway point, 6-5 favourite Funky Buddha (Tony Dinges) tipped off the pylons from third to challenge for the lead. Handsome Stranger endured the pressure through three-quarters in 1:23 and easily repelled the favourite spinning for home to register a 1-1/4-length win, while Funky Buddha held second from fast-closing Coup Station (Atlee Bender) in third.
A four-year-old gelding by Tall Dark Stranger-Silk Beach, Handsome Stranger won his first race from six starts this season and collected his fifth win from 36 starts in his career. He has now earned $333,589 for owners Morrison Racing Stables, Brian Gordon and Stephen Gordon. He paid $6.64 to win.
Live racing resumes at Oak Grove on Monday, June 15 with the third preliminary round of Kentucky Sire Stakes for four-year-olds. First-race post time is 1:10 p.m. (CDT).
(Oak Grove; photo of Handsome Stranger winning on June 9)