37 to 1 longshot stuns in USHDC upset

Oak Grove, Kentucky…April 7, 2026…Copper Teen (American Ideal), off at 37 to 1, teamed up with driver Danarius Dortch to score a surprisingly easy win in the United States Harness Driving Club (USHDC) feature at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming on Monday, April 6.

The eight-year-old gelding, trained by owner Cornelius Stewart, stopped the timer in 1:55.2, using a :28.1 finale to score by two lengths over D A Wicked Shine, handled  by John MunGillo with Talk Racy To Me another 2 1/2 lengths away in third for Jalen Gray.

Betustay, last half-way through the mile was a sharp closing fourth for Christina Grubich while Little  Bit Tuff, absolutely last early on, rallied to pick up the nickel for Cassidy Whitton.

Copper Teen was away alertly from the inside post, only out-sprinted by D A Wicked Shine and the favorite, Ifudntnomebynow, driven by Adarryl Gates, Jr. that were-1-2 through opening panels of :29 and :59.

On the backside, Ifudntnomebynow left the coziness of the pocket but came up empty allowing Copper Teen to gain the garden spot through a :27.4 third panel, softening up the leader, D A Wicked Shine, around the final bend turning for home and then handily sprinting by for the win.

COPPER TEEN REPLAY

After the race, driver Danarius Dortch reflected, “You know, my horse (Copper Teen) hadn’t been racing bad at all.

“He made a start here after a month off  and raced very good and, last start, had a not-so-great post (7) and I was very confident that the inside post would help him today.

“We were third early and, when the horse in the two-hole pulled and didn’t seem to have it today, I was grinning from ear-to-ear and felt really good about my chances.

“I was surprised that he went off as that much of a long-shot but, since I don’t bet, it didn’t matter much to me—the win was what mattered for Mr. Stewart.

Trainer Stewart chimed in and said, “Danarius has some really good hands and he handled this horse to perfection today…they should all be like that…but I know better than that in the competition here at Oak Grove.

“I just have to enjoy the moment while I can because this is a tough, tough business!”

The win was the first in four starts for Copper Teen and vaulted his career earnings to $228,526.

The winner rewarded his faithful with a mutuel of $77.78.

The USHDC is in its 30th year of making dreams come true for those in need as their membership donates all earnings driving in their races to charitable causes, which can be local or have national influence.

Included in this season’s charity awards at Oak Grove Racing & Gaming are Sanctuary, Inc., Steele Magnolia Sanctuary, Volunteer Equine Advocates, Redemption Ranch, Safe Harbor Sanctuary, Christian County 4-H Club and Christian County Cattlemen’s Association.

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

by John Berry, for the USHDC