Amateurs have rare double exacta

The United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC), enjoying their new reincarnation in Kentucky at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, had a rare pari-mutuel event in harness racing history on Sunday, May 21, as their two events produced a Tony Dinges-Dein Spriggs exacta in each race.

The first event, a $12,000 USHDC Pace, went to Sports Teller (Sportswriter) for Dinges in 1:54.2, edging past Spriggs and Tuapeka Jessie (A) in a race where the amateurs used their true professionalism to avoid a breaker—Feelin Like Winner—after the half mile mark.

Meant Tobe Shooter, with Darryl Gates, was placed third while Joe McDude, going an extra long journey for Jafari Frazier, was moved up a notch to fourth while the veteran Feelin Like Winner, recovering from that aforementioned miscue, was moved down from third to fifth for Carson Conrad.

In a post-race interview, Dinges related, “I really don’t know how I avoided the breaker. When you’re on the racetrack and situations arise, your split-second reactions take over and, in this case, it turned out OK…very thankful!”

Dinges owns and trains the winner, a new arrival in the barn, who has a win and a pair of “seconds” in his three race history here in Kentucky.

By the way, the winner paid $11.24 and the Dinges-Spriggs $1 exacta paid $11.29.

A few races later as the sun was beginning to set, Dinges gave the Aussie bred Gunrneedabgrboat (A) (Sportswriter) a gutsy drive from an outside post to score in an all foreign finish with Britain’s Ayr Pioneer (GB) second for Spriggs and Border Patrol (A) next for Julie Whitman. Skyway Three Ball, handled by Denarius Dortch, was fourth while Uncle Si, guided by Jafari Frazier earned the final check.

Gunrneedabgrboat, also a new tenant in the Bluegrass State, stopped the clock in 1:55.1 and earned his second win of the year—first for trainer Trey Brinson and owner Steve McDaniel, Jr.

In that event, Dinges sent the rugged nine-year-old Gunrneedabgrboat surging off the wings but was still “double-bubbled” past the opener inn :27.3. After getting cover from Ayr Pioneer and Spriggs, the winner made his next move turning for home and won by a length, paying $14.50 to his faithful.

That Dinges-Spriggs exacta paid $35.02 and Gunrneedabgrboat sent his career bankroll to $181,882—$153,248 earned here in the States since his 2020 arrival.

There was plenty of other action on the program, as well, as Im Sir Blake (A) (Alta Christiano N) took the $28,000 Open Pace in 1:51 for Atlee Bender, in the bike for trainer Erv Miller and owners Douglas Overhiser.

The eight-year-old gelding went a rugged journey and used a :26.4 finale to grind his way to a 1 3/4 length triumph over Dalby Hanover, driven by Tyler Shehan with Rock It Out next for Devon Tharps. Isitlikeitlooks was fourth while Art Scene picked up the nickel in the octet.

Im Sir Blake (A) earned his second win of the season in seven starts and sent his 2023 earnings to $29,250—this after a 2022 year where he banked $200,770—and paid $2.92 as the heavy favorite.

Bender had a double on the Sunday program, also winning with the three-year-old Always Barefoot ($3.60) (Always B Miki) in the opener in 1:53.4.

Driver Jamaal Denson also had a driving double, as did Joey Putnam and Wyatt Avenatti. Wi

Denson drove the four-year-old Heavy Pressure (Real Desire) to a 1:49.4 win, using an explosive :27.1 finale to cap off a mile where his pacer’s final three-quarters were clocked a shade better than 1:21.3. That event, purse $10,000, was a conditioned/claiming pace. (He paid $14.90 to win.)

Denson also used similar strategy to pilot Mr Nuttin Nice ($22.70) (Racing Hill) to a 1:54.3 win in a $10,000 conditioned pace paying $22.20 to win.

Joey Putnam’s double was back of J Chip ($2.60) (JK Endofanera) in a $10,000 pace and Mystic Melissa ($4.28) (Tellitlikeitis) in the $24,000 Mini Series Final for fillies and mares.

Finally, Wyatt Avenatti lit up the tote-board with his pair of wins, scoring with Ashley’s Amanda ($53.10) (Ashley’s Big Guy) in a $12,000 event for the ladies and KIngofmyheart ($24.48) (World Of Rock Rocknroll) in the $16,000 Mini-Series Final.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Berry, for the USHDC