Shenandoah Downs featured the United States Harness Drivers Club (USHDC) in its Daily Double on Saturday, May 4 with the “MC’s” (Masters of Ceremonies) belonging to Jack McNeil and Stacey McLenaghan in their respective events—both “Mc’s.”
McNeil and the eight-year-old Sportswriter gelding Ive Got Hootspa teamed up in the $7,877 opener to roar by the competition with an explosive stretch drive to win by 2-1/2 lengths on a track labelled “good” in 1:59, collaring the leader Weona Sizzler A, handled by Veronica Merton, once they straightened away for the drive home. Into The Night was next for Kevin Altig while So Take That, with Alexandra Goldin, was fourth. Morgans All In, driven by McLenaghan, picked up the nickel after recovering from a miscue at the start.
This was a well contested event from start to finish as Weona Sizzler A burst off the wings to take charge from a well placed Granttwentythree early—these two sprinting away early after a first panel in :28.3 As the field tightened up during the next half-mile—the half in :58.3—by the time they reached the third station in 1:29.2, Granttwentythree was looking Weona Sizzler A in the eye with the recovering Morgans All in on a double move on even terms with the ground-saving Into The Night and So Take That between the two. At this stage, Ive Got Hootspa was last but ready to make his devastating rally to the winner's circle, which he did with a :29 finale.
For the winner, trained by Jack McNeil for Ben McNeil, it was his first victory this semester and 11th lifetime.
As for McNeil, known for his training prowess since 2007, it was his 10th career win, taking just an occasional trip in the sulky over the past two seasons.
The winner paid $14 as fourth choice in the betting.
McLenaghan completed the early Daily Double at Woodstock by putting her own five-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding Etbauer right on top from her outside post in the next $9,247 pace and clocking panels of :27.2, :56.2 and 1:26 before holding on for dear life late to score in 1:56.1 by a neck over the fastest-closing Kimani N, driven by Veronica Merton.
Need Arocket, with McNeil handling the lines, was third while Righthererightnow, with Scott Woogen in the bike, was fourth after being hung out to dry like wet laundry the entire route. KKs Dream Girl, driven by Altig, was fifth after a tough journey after a slow start.
For Etbauer, a recent addition to the McLenaghan Stable, it was his second win in a row and 12th lifetime tally.
McLenaghan also had a driving double on the program with Hey Siri and nudged her UDRS for the year to .378 with her 10-3-7 score card in 37 starts driving. She now has 52 driving successes and is one win away from 400 training wins.
Etbauer returned $4.60 to his multitude of faithful.
Both McNeil and McLenaghen, along with all other USHDC members, donate all of their earnings from driving in amateur races earmarked for charitable distribution to worthy causes from horse aftercare and retirement to therapeutics benefitting those in need fro traumatic issues in life. The USHDC has donated more than $300,000 USD since its inception with more donations planned for the near future.
(With files from USHDC)