Di Cicco kicks off USHDC season with a win at Oak Grove

Oak Grove, KY…March 25, 2025…Oak Grove Racing and Gaming kicked off their 2025 stakes-laden meeting with a strongly supported 12 race program with Terry Di Cicco sealing the opening day festivities with a win in the first United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) event of the year.

Di Cicco, who recently celebrated his 69th birthday, guided Don Tiger’s Shane Falco, a six year-old gelded son of Racing Hill, to a game win measuring 1 1/2 lengths in 1:56.4.

It was the first win of the year for Shane Falco, as well as the first win for Di Cicco since a win in an amateur event with Eliana N at The Meadowlands on November 26, 2021.

The fastest closing Dragon Perfect, handled by John Mungillo, was up for second, followed by Joyful Lady, the pacesetter, for Trey Brinson, with Paperback Thriller, with Jafari Frazier in the bike, fourth and My Playmate GB picking up the nickel for Dein Spriggs.

Leaving from the seven post in a “two-tiered” field, Di Cicco sent Shane Falco off the wings with alacrity and was able to smartly nestle his way into the garden spot during a hot opening panel of :27.1.

As Joyful Lady took the field through a half in :57, Di Cicco pulled Shane Falco from the “comfort zone” and roared to the front at the third station in 1:26 before coasting home unscathed in 1:56.4.

SHANE FALCO REPLAY

After the race, Di Cicco lamented, “longtime horseman Eldon Leonelli and Shane Falco’s breeder-owner Don Tiger were talking and Tiger mentioned that the horse is very talented but is having issues and Eldo suggested that he come to me to try and get him straightened out.

“It took a few weeks but he really came around and qualified very handily at Oak Grove in a tune-up for this opening day.

“He didn’t disappoint anybody today and the fans, I am sure, weren’t disappointed, either, as he was the favorite going into the race.

“This horse is a half brother to the great Charlie May and has a (1):49.2 mark a couple of seasons ago at Scioto Downs and I am very pleased and appreciative that Mr. Tiger sent him over to me to get him back to the races!”

The win was the 17th in 77 lifetime starts for Shane Falco vaulting his career bankroll to $185,215. He rewarded his faithful with a mutuel of $3.74.

The USHDC has donated over $325,000 to worthy causes since their inception and plans to bolster that number during this Oak Grove meeting.

As USHDC President said, “Our club is successful because of the generosity of our members who donate 100% of their earnings driving in these events to worthy causes reaching out to  community needs all the way to equine rescues and rehabilitation services.

“Kevin Mack and Cara Collins make it all possible with their hospitality which, in turn, puts our sport in a positive light with starting gate rides, visits to the announcer’s booth and more!”

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

by John Berry, for the USHDC