United States Harness Drivers Club

10/06/2025

Sasha and Hanover's Miracle were the Grand Champions for the United States Harness Drivers Club sponsored class at the 2025 National Standardbred Horse Show. The Reserve Champions were Emma and Golden Receiver.

04/29/2025

33 to 1 USHDC winner sparks Steele Magnolia Sanctuary day

Oak Grove, KY…April 29, 2025…The United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) feature, honoring Steele Magnolia Sanctuary, had “Fourth of July” tote board fireworks on Monday, April 28 as amateur driver Roy Marohn piloted the 11-year-old gelding Somebeachsomeday (Somebeachsomewhere) to a 33 to one upset victory in 1:55.4 over a lightning fast Oak Grove track.

Marohn, closing in on age 70, won his first of 193 lifetime wins almost a half century ago and got his first success in nearly two years with the son of Somebeachsomeday, who, too, earned his first win of the year in 14 starts, after having arrived from Ontario, Canada just days earlier.

Owned by trainer David Brooks along with Adam Brooks. the winner scored by three-parts-of-a-length over the fastest closing Game of Chance, handled by Zyler Maxwell, with the favorite, Stun Gun, next for Peter Kleinhans, after suffering interference early on.

Hold My Drink and Travis Williams, Jr., teamed up to be fourth while Deputy Dawn picked up the nickel for Jacquavyian Carter.

Marohn was ecstatic with his horse’s performance lamenting, “He’d been racing up in Canada on a smaller track so I decided to try a more aggressive route.

“Yes, it worked out but the highlight for me was in the winner’s circle with the Steele Magnolia (Sanctuary) being honored for their incredible work.
Indeed, the Sanctuary is a healing one for both horses and humans while living up to their “motto,” Saving one horse won’t change the world, but it will change the world for one horse.

The Steele Magnolia Sanctuary is a registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that provides a permanent refuse for abandoned, abused and neglected horses.

In turn, these horses have become essential for healing children of all ages—2 to 92—through therapeutic equine assisted activities.

Steele Magnolia’s Julie Scarborough was at Oak Grove for the winner’s circle presentation and gave a prime example of their work saying, “One of our equine residents is ‘Libby.’

“We rescued her momma, who was on her way to slaughter, and, eventually, she had her beautiful foal, Libby.

“Yet another, ‘Prince Charming,’ came to us in extremely emaciated condition and was just one of 30 horses that were rescued due to hoarding.

“There are many, many more instances and we are determined to do as much as we can to save horses…and make lives better as they work their equine magic on boys, girls, men and women of all ages.”

By the way, Somebeachsometime paid $69.22 to the faithful.

For more information about Steele Magnolia Sanctuary, tune in to www.steelemagnoliasanctuary.com

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

John Berry, for the USHDC

04/28/2025

Can we get a heck yeah!!!!
The United States Harness Drivers Club was first out of the gate with a Platinum Sponsorship but it doesn’t end there……
They will be covering ALL entry fees for the 13-18 Equitation/Horsemanship division AND hand out a $250 bonus check to the grand Champion and $200 to the Reserve Champion in that division !!!

Thank you so much 😊

10/27/2024

08/19/2024

We have a very special surprise announcement from one of our sponsors, The United States Harness Drivers Club!!!
They want to cover the entry fees for all exhibitors in their division 13-18 Eq!
And to top it off a cash bonus will be paid out to the Grand Champion and Reserve in that division!!!

07/16/2024

As the Oak Grove Racing and Gaming harness racing season races toward the finish line on Tuesday, the Oak Grove Racing team is fortunate to have quite a “one-two” punch in the form of Kevin Mack and Cara Collins.

Their efforts allowed the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) to distribute record contributions to charitable causes during the meeting with the Christian County Cattleman Association the latest to receive a $2,000 contribution on Sunday, July 14.

As part of the Chamber of Commerce, the Association is part of a mission to provide service and leadership resulting in a prosperous economy for all County citizens built on. Leadership, teamwork and the recognition of excellence celebrating individual and team achievements in the County.

A pair of $20,000 USHDC events were carded—one each on Sunday and Monday—with Captain Mckee (Captaintreachwerous) winning on Sunday for Jafari Frazier and Seth Hanover, with John Mungillo handling the lines, scoring on the Monday card.

Captain Mckee made a huge double bubble binge approaching the three-quarter mile mark, took charge turning for home and held off the determined late sprint of Rockin Ella Mae, driven by Tyler Maxwell, to score by a half length in 1:54.4.

Shakeanera, forced to pace a mile (and 25 yards) outside looking in, was a solid third for Shae Vandervort while She’s A Fireball was fourth for Cassidy Whitton. Ayr Pioneer GB picked up the nickel for Dein Spriggs.

Trained by John Hughes, who co-owns with Delbert Roberts, Captain Mckee won for the third time this year in 14 starts, sending his 2024 bankroll to $21,420. His lifetime total now stands at $122,014 with the winner rewarding his faithful with a $15.10 mutuel.

Seth Hanover’s win on Monday was quite a “bit” easier for John Mungillo as this six-year-old gelded son of Artspeak got superior handling from Mungillo, carving up early panels of :27.2 and :57.4 before a :56.2 final half mile sealed the deal by 1 1/2 lengths over the 21-1 long-shot, Lanesville Logic GB, teamed with Dein Spriggs—that mile in 1:56.1.

Unhynged Speed closed well for Peter Kleinhans to finish on the board third while Spartacus Bluechip next for Michael Riley. Mach Diesel paced an “even-steven” mile to pick up the final check.

Trained by Don Campbell for owner Nancy Cannon, Seth Hanover, using the inside post to perfection, paid $4.30 to his multitude of faithful.

Seth Hanover now sports a 2-2-5 scorecard in 19 starts, good for $47,160 this semester and $418,449 lifetime.

For Mungillo, by the way, who is known for his training prowess with 1,177 wins “back of the scenes,” this was his first win in the bike since May 4, 2019 at Pompano Park with Kegler Hanover in their amateur event.

The USHDC now has contributions totaling over $330,000 since their inception, made possible by the generosity of the members donating all driving earnings in ISHDC event to charity.

07/10/2024

USHDC donates to Christian County 4-H
John Berry

The Christian County 4-H Club, part of the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University information network, were the beneficiaries to the tune of $2,000 on Monday, July 8 as the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) honored their important work with a presentation at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming.

The programs, available in Christian County, includes 4-H Youth development, Agricultural and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Horticulture and Community and Economic Development.

In making the presentation, USHDC President Dein Spriggs related, “This is an incredible educational resource for all Kentuckians and serves as an important catalyst to build better communities and quality of life.

“Their all important work helps develop youth, adults, families and communities while fostering lifelong use of natural resources.

“They are an amazing organization that seems to have the spirit that nothing is impossible and there is ‘always a way’ to help and the USHDC has the honor of donating to their important work!”
Speaking of finding “always a way,” on the racetrack for the USHDC feature, the aptly named favorite Always A Way (Always A Virgin) took charge at the opening marker in :28, repelled a challenge at the half in :56.1 and went unthreatened the rest of the way, posting a three-quarter time of 1:25.3 en route to a handy win in 1:56.2 for owner-trainer-driver William Aldrich.

Elocutionist, handled by Roy Marohn and off at 65 to 1, finished second, 1 1/2 lengths away, with Allgonowhoa third for Gary Campbell.

Dune With Class and Fire Light were next, with the order reversed after a judge’s inquiry—Fire Light driven by Tray Brunson placed fourth with Dune With Class handled by Tyler Maxwell picking up the nickel.

The five-year-old gelding Always A Way won for the third time this semester in 20 starts, vaulting his 2024 bounty to $43,725—his best season ever thus far—and $94,627 lifetime.

For driver William Aldrich, who drives only sparingly, it was his first win since July 23, 2015 at Lebanon Raceway with Feelin Colossal in an Ohio Stakes for two-year-old pacing fillies. It was his 25th career win since his career debut in 1988.

The winner went off at 46 cents to a dollar and paid $2.92 to win.

The USHDC has donated over $320,000 to charitable causes since its inception with the donation made possible by the generosity of its members dedicating 100% of their driving earnings in USHDC events to charity.

Story: https://harnesslink.com/usa/ushdc-donates-to-christian-county-4-h/