Opening round Oak Grove Early Sire Stakes

Lexington, KY— On Sunday (June 26) eight $25,000 legs of the newly established Oak Grove Early Sire Stakes Series for 2-year-old Kentucky-bred harness racing trotters and pacers took place at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel.

Wind Chime (Father Patrick-Wind Stroll) was the first entrant on the card to visit the winner’s circle. Driven by Andy Miller and trained by his wife Julie, the filly is now two-for-two in her young career and stopped the clock in 1:56.3.

Owned by Andy Miller Stable, Gty Stable, Walter Zent and Tony Holmes, Wind Chime has banked $18,350. She was a $60,000 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale purchase and is a half-sibling to Fast As The Wind (Cantab Hall, $681,362), Windy Corner (Yankee Glide, $207,576), Evening Stroll (Cantab Hall, $147,467).  Fast As The Wind was second in his Breeders Crown final last year and recently captured the C$251,000 Goodtimes Stakes.

Princess Caitlyn (Tactical Landing-Social Success) was second with Yannick Gingras holding the lines for Ron Burke. Yo Rebecca (Bar Hopping-Starlet Rules) was third for driver/trainer Verlin Yoder.

Una Madonna (Tactical Landing-Unica Donna It) took the second leg in 1:55.1 with Anthony McDonald in the bike for trainer Jason Robinson. The filly is now two-for-two for The Stable Una Madonna Group, Hutchison Harness and Never 2 Late Stable.

A $100,000 Lexington Selected Sale yearling, Una Madonna was the post-time favorite. She was followed home by Railee Something (International Moni-Railee Priti) for Todd Warren and Roger Cullipher. When Love Walks In (Father Patrick-Flyer Mel) was third for Aaron Merriman and Chris Beaver.

Beaver and Merriman won the third leg with Fuzzy Dice (International Moni-Roll Sevens) in 1:57.2. Owned by Beaver, William Rufenacht, Donald Robinson and VIP Stable, the filly is the first foal out of her unraced dam and bought for $20,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. This was her first pari-mutuel mile.

Halekai Ill (Father Patrick-Absolutely Divine) was second as the favorite for Christian Lind and Rodney Debeck. Boudicca (Father Patrick-Demoiselle Hanover) was third for Tony Hall and Anette Lorentzon.

Calgary (Downbytheseaside-Sweetest Emotion) took the fourth leg in 1:54 with Gingras holding the lines for Ryan Miller. Owned by Diamond Creek Racing, the filly captured her first start with a swift :26 final quarter-mile. Calgary is the second foal out of her dam, who earned $142,360 in her racing career. Sweetest Emotion is a half-sibling to Dan Patch Award winner Captain Crunch.

Calgary was ahead of Prideful (Always B Miki-Baby Cat) for Andy and Julie Miller. Keepmysecret (Captaintreacherous-Life’sliltreaure) was third for Hall and Lorentzon.

Hungry For Love (Stay Hungry-Lover Of Art) scored in the sixth leg for Gingras and Ron Burke. Owned by Thomas and Scott Dillon, the filly tripped the timer in 1:54.2. It was her second career start and first victory.

Hungry For Love is a half sibling to Rock Me Baby (Rock N Roll Heaven, $394,523), Art Scene (American Ideal, $530,431) and Summer Charm (Bettor’s Delight, $422,238).

The filly went through the ring for $80,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Seaside Baby (Downbytheseaside-Thong) was second for Trevor Smith and Todd Luther. My Nay Nay (Captaintreacherous-Well Sweet Flashy) was third for Brett Miller and Tony Alagna.

Cant Stop Lou (Sweet Lou-Can’t Stop Me Now) provided Gingras with his second sire stakes win on the card and trainer Nancy Takter with her first. Owned by Takter, Jaf Racing, Rojan Stables, R.A.W Equine and Jeffrey Bell, the colt was clocked in 1:54.1.

Cant Stop Lou collected his first win from his first start. He is a full sibling to Fortify ($452,215). He was purchased for $40,000 at the 2021 Standardbred Horse Sale.

Day Trader (Stay Hungry-Day To Ponder) was second for Doug and Gregg McNair. Misterternahkey (Racing Hill-Ain’t Giving Up) was third for Jamaal Denson and John Hughes.

Andy and Julie Miller were the winning team behind Espresso (Chapter Seven-Biscotti) it was their second score in the day’s stakes action. Espresso broke behind the gate but rebounded to produce a 1:57.4 mile.

Owned by Andy Miller Stable, Louis Willinger, Mortgage Boys Stable and L Berg Inc. the gelding is the first foal out of his unraced dam. He was purchased at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $45,000.

Over And Back (Trixton-Chim Swift) was second for Merriman and Beaver. Yo Lucky Moni (International Moni-Unbelindyble) was third for Yoder.

Whole Nother (Nuncio-Undersong) took the final sire stakes leg in 1:58.4 for Doug and Gregg Mcnair. Owned by Gregg McNair and Douglas Lockheart, the colt is the first foal out of his unraced dam. He was a $15,000 purchase at the Standardbred Horse Sale.

Whole Nother was followed across the line by Five Stars (Walner-Superstar Hanover) for Lind and Marcus Melander. Brodeur (Tactical Landing-Sleep Tight My Luv) was third for Hall and Lorentzon.

Oak Grove will host eight $25,000 legs for sophomore trotter and pacers on Monday (June 27).

The Oak Grove Early Sire Stakes series consists of two $25,000 legs, a $25,000 consolation and $100,000 final.

The second leg for 2-year-olds will be July 3 and for 3-year-olds on July 4. The consolations and finals for 2-year-olds will be held July 17 and for 3-year-olds on July 18.

Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel features live harness racing on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. First post is 3 p.m. EST. For more information, please visit the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s website by clicking here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kimberly French, for the Kentucky Harness Association