Low Rider lunges to win feature on Oak Grove opening day

OAK GROVE, Ky. — Driver Marvin Luna found himself caught towards the back of the pack with Low Rider (Downbytheseaside) but had ample speed to close and delivered a 2-1 harness racing victory in the $30,000 Open Pace on opening day at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Monday (March 24).

Leaving from post 6, Low Rider showed speed but was blocked off early and took back to race sixth. Later Dudes (driven by Trace Tetrick), the even-money favorite, circled to take the lead through a :26.2 quarter while He’zzz A Wise Sky (Cordarius Stewart) pushed forward out of post 8 to challenge.

Later Dudes carried his speed to a :54.3 half, parking and stringing He’zzz A Wise Sky out of contention, and continued up the backside on the muscle. He clocked past three-quarters in 1:22.3 as Luna laid aim with Low Rider and made gradual progress along the rim towards the leader.

Low Rider continued reeling in a battle weary Later Dudes spinning for home and landed the knockout blow on the line to win by a half length in a 1:51.3 mile. This Kit Rocks (Joey Putnam) closed for third and JK’s Shining Star (Randy Crisler) closed from last for fourth.

LOW RIDER REPLAY

Winning his first race of 2025 in just his second try, Low Rider has now won 17 times from 65 starts and banked $293,555. Walter Haynes Jr. trains the 5-year-old gelding by Downbytheseaside for owners Jeff Fought Racing, Brian Carsey and Adam Friedland. He paid $6.82 to win.

Racing continues at Oak Grove on Tuesday (March 25) with a 12-race card. Oak Grove will host live harness racing on a Monday-Tuesday rotation with select Sunday cards and a special Kentucky Derby program slated through the 2025 meet. First-race post time at Oak Grove is 1:45 p.m. (CDT). For more information on Oak Grove, visit oakgrovegaming.com.

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

from Oak Grove Racing Publicity