Dinges and Dortch star in Amateurs at Oak Grove

Oak Grove, Kentucky, May 29, 2023…We’re still a month away from July 4th but harness racing’s amateur driver Tony Dinges is hotter than a firecracker in Oak Grove, Kentucky.

Dinges won his fourth race in just nine starts since the United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC) relocated from Pompano Beach to Oak Grove and boosted his UDRS for the season to .519 by guiding Sports Teller (Sportswriter) to a 1:55.2 triumph in the $12,000 USHDC Pace.

Owned and trained by Dinges, as well, the four-year-old gelding got picture perfect handling by spending much of the route in the garden spot while Feelin Lika Winner, driven by Carson Conrad, cut the mustard through quick panels of :27.1, :56.1 and 1:25.3 before rallying down the lane to score by 1 1/4 lengths.

March Diesel, driven by Jill Brown, saved ground throughout and finished second with Feelin Lika Winner next.

In a post-race interview, Dinges related, “I got one of those dream journeys from the one post and this horse (Sports Teller) is no stranger to the winner’s circle, I have to give credit to my horsepower more than my skill in the bike.”

The win was the fourth of the year in 17 starts for Sports Teller, vaulting his 2023 bankroll to $28,850, more than his previous year earnings in 39 starts.

Sports Teller was off at 37 cents to the dollar and paid $2.74 to win.

Dinges shared the limelight this day with Danarious Dortch, who piloted Pacific Stride (Art Major)  to an 18 to 1 upset win in the $10,000 USHDC Pace.

This 11-year-old veteran gelding spent biding his time mid-pack during sizzling panels of :26.2 and :54.4 before wending his way into contention past the third station in 1:25 and unleashing a stretch blitz to roll by late to win by 1 1/4 lengths inn 1:54.4.

Border Control (A), with Dinges in the sulky, was second while Ayr Pioneer (GB), driven by Dein Spriggs, third.

Tained by Maria Shehan for owner Tom Ryan, Pacific Stride won for the second time this semester in 15 starts. This was his fastest winning performance in over two years.

The winner rewarded his faithful to the tune of $38.14.

For Dorrtch, it was his first win of the season and 28th lifetime.

The two amateur events were the “pari-mutuel” stars of the Sunday program being the highest handles of the entire 12 race program with both events drawing significant interest with “carry-overs” going into each race.

The USHDC has donated over $300,000 to charitable and goodwill organizations with substantial donations to horse rescue, retirement and therapeutic facilities aiding children “of all ages.”

For complete race results, click here.

by John Berry, for the USHDC