Stun Gun overcomes the outside eight post

Oak Grove, KY…May 13, 2025…In a “stunning” harness racing performance overcoming the outside eight post, Stun Gun, took top honors in the United States Driving Club (USHDC) feature at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming on Monday, May 12.

Driven by Shae Vandervort for owner-trainer Roni Vandervort, the six-year-old gelded son of Always B Miki caught live cover throughout the mile, making a decisive double-bubble binge around the final turn and went on to score a handy two length win in 1:55.1.

Joker Rockwell, also going a brave journey while outside the entire route, finished second for Travis Williams, Jr. while Genie Ina Bottle enjoyed a ground saving journey to be third for Donricus Blackmon.

Other Peoples Beer, who cut the mustard as the wings opened, finished fourth for Zyler Maxwell while Masters closed fastest of all for John Mungillo to pick up the nickel in the field of eight.

At the outset, Other Peoples Beer left with alacrity with Genie Ina Bottle alongside wit Joker Rockwell, the 8 to 5 tote board favorite, pressing on, as well, with Stun Gun looking to join the fray and follow live cover.

“That’s exactly the way it worked out,” lamented driver Shaw Vandervort, “I knew the horse in front of me was the one to beat and the live cover was just what the doctor ordered with the two horses in front were battling pretty good!”

Indeed, with an opening panel in :28.1, Other Peoples Beer and Joker Rockwell were in a war of sorts with Stun Gun simply following the live cover flow past the half in :57.3.

On the backside, Joker Rockwell finally took charge but Stun Gun made that decisive “double-bubble” binge three wide and forged to the lead past the third station in 1:26.2.

From there, it was a sharp :28.4 finale that sealed the deal.

STUN GUN REPLAY

In a post race interview, trainer Roni Vandervort said, “Stun. Gun gave a nice hint in his last start after being bothered early on and he can always be counted on to get home in :28 and change.”

It was the first win of the year in six starts for Stun Gun and sent his career earnings to $71,118.

Stun Gun rewarded his faithful with a $9.56 mutuel.

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

by John Berry, for the USHDC