Stunning performance at Oak Grove by Stun Gun

Oak Grove, KY…June 11, 2024…In yet another of harness racing’s “bang-bang” finishes fashioned by Racing Secretary Kevin Mack at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, Stun Gun (Always B Miki), driven by Shae Vandervort, fired off a lethal bullet in the stretch and won the United States Harness Driving Club’s (USHDC) feature on Monday (June 10), stopping the clock in 1:56.1.

Seth Hanover, who cut all the mustard—:28.4, :57.1 and 1:26.1—was nailed at the wire finishing second with the fastest closing Pictonian Thunder, with Carson Conrad in the sulky, just another nose back in third.

Captain McKee finished fourth but was DQ’d and placed last with Lou’s Delight and driver Tony Dingus moved up a notch to fourth with Messi N, with Donricus Blackmon handling the lines, moved up to pick up the nickel.

The five-year-old gelding Stun Gun began his journey from the second tier and was well back for the first half mile—seventh—and began improving his position at the third station before finding some room to roam, catching the leader Seth Hanover in the final strides while holding off the thunderous close of Pictonian Thunder.

In a post-race interview, owner and trainer Roni Vandervort lamented, “You know, he’s an athlete—an equine athlete—and athletes can get injured on occasion.

“He’s always had potential and we’ve been very patient to bring that potential out in him.

“That patience finally paid off in his race and I am very proud of him and, of course, for Shae, who handled him to perfection.

It was the first win of the season for Stun Gun, in fact, it was his first win in a pari-mutuel event since December 2, 2022 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Off as fifth choice in the field of 10, Stun Gun rewarded his faithful with a $17.88 mutuel.

Racing continues on Tuesday with the $40,000 Open Trot the headliner featuring an evenly matched sextet going to the gate with trainer Ron Burke’s Oh Look Magic the 2 to 1 morning line favorite.

Post Time is set for 3:00 P.M.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by John Berry, for USHD