Dr. Scott Woogen has driving double in USHDC

Woodstock, VA…May 19, 2024…It is said that, back in the 1920’s, the term “it takes two to tango” was first put on the map with many meanings throughout the years.

One such meaning has to do with “success” and Shenandoah Racing Director Dee Lineweaver and the United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC) were the “two to tango” in ensuring the success of their 2024 harness racing meeting, the competitive success of the USDHC and the success that many worthy area charitable organizations shared and enjoyed during the season.

Most recently, the USHDC and Shenandoah Downs made donations to organizations involved in making informed family decisions, those suffering traumatic violence, the area 4H Club, the mini-horse sanctuary and our own sport’s Hall of Fame in Goshen, New York.

Club President Dein Spriggs said it best when he stated, “‘It take two to tango’ and the Director of Racing here, Dee Lineweaver, made sure that our Club’s work and success would continue by giving our Club racing opportunities so our members could continue their generosity in donating all of their earnings in these races to worthy organizations.

“Yes, Dee, and her staff, deserve as much credit as we for our group’s success!”

To amplify Lineweaver’s commitment, three USHDC events were contested on Saturday (May 18) with the stars in the sulky being Dr. Scott Woogen, who had a pair of wins and Kevin Altig, who capped off the Saturday program in the finale.

Woogen kicked off the “trifecta” of amateur races by guiding his own Tipperary Hill (Art Major) to a 1:59.3 win, closing quickest of all to get by a stubborn Margans All In, driven by Stacey McLenaghan, to score by a half a length—the latter recovering from a miscue at the beginning to stick a nose in front in the lane before ultimately giving way late.

KK’s Dream Girl, handled by Adrian Wisher,Jr., sawed through all the panels—:29.1, :59.4 and 1:28.3 but was one length short at the line.

Into The Night was fourth for Kevin Altig while Memorydream, with Ernest Taylor in the sulky, grabbing the nickel.

Trained by Oscar Johnson, Jr. for Woogen, it was the second win of the year for the seven-year-old mare—25th win lifetime—sending her career bankroll to $215,279.

The winner paid $6.60 to her faithful.

About 20 minutes later, Woogen was in the winner’s circle again—this time with the Kiwi bred bine-year-old gelding Baltimore Jack N (Auckland Reactor N).

Away last in his quintet, Baltimore Jack N, avoided a mishap halfway through a :57.4 half, swept up to move on even terms with the leader at the third station in 1:27.3, and was all guts and courage when it counted to score by a half a length in 1:56.4.

Etbauer, driven by Stacey McLenaghan, was second in that “bang-bang” finish while the fastest closing Never Easy Z Tam, with Alexandra Golden, handling the lines, was just another neck back in third.

Ideal Perfect Ten, who cut fractions of :29.1, :57.4 and 1:27.3 for Adrian Wisher, Jr., was next with Race Eye “DNF” following the mishap halfway through the mile.

Trained by Scott Warnick for owner Deborah Warnick, the winner sent his 2024 scorecard to 3-3-2 in 15 starts, good for $17,058 and $120,253 lifetime—$92,687 here in the U.S.

Off at even money on the tote-board, Baltimore Jack N paid $4.20 to win.

For Doc Woogen, it was a driving triple on the card as he also piloted Oscar Johnson’s K J Kyra to a win in a non-amateur event to kick of the festivities on Saturday.

He now has 228 career driving successes.

The amateur finale went to Fox Valley Mondo (Time To Roll, the seven-year-old gelding getting picture perfect handling from Kevin Altig.

In a somewhat loose pocket as Art Nukem, driven by Stacey McLenaghan, sliced through panels pf :29.4, :59.3 and a pickup 1:284, Fox Valley Mondo began gnawing away turning for home and caught the leader in the final strides, winning by a long neck.

At Take That, with Alexandra Golden in the bike, was next while Intrigued Again was fourth in this compact quartet.

Trained by owner-trainer Darren Olsen, Fox Valley Mondo, earned his second win of the year in 16 starts—13th lifetime—and pushed his career earnings a “ns” within $100,000 career-wise, now $99,226.

For the 35-year-old Kevin Altig, who operates a small stable and drives sparingly, it was his first win of the season in the bike and 10th lifetime.

The winner returned a $12.80 mutuel.

The Shenandoah season concludes on Sunday, May 19, with an action packed 12 race card with purses reaching almost $100,000.

Racing resumes at Shenandoah on September 14 for a seven-week meeting.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results

by John Berry, for the USHDC