Big Christian and Atlee Bender were one of three wins on the Monday, July 3 racing program at Oak Grove for Erv Miller. The Indiana sired trotter scored another win in the $22,500 Open II Trot, scoring the win in 1:55.1.
Big Christian and Atlee Bender make their way back to the winner’s circle Monday, July 3 for another win at Oak Grove.
Big Christian had post seven and left for the lead but was beat to the punch by Spell Goodlookin, a three-year-old son of Indiana sire You Know You Do driven by Devon Tharps. Big Christian was able to obtain the lead after the quarter in :28.1 as Spell Goodlookin followed along. Heading to the three-quarters, DG’s Caviar moved out to challenge around the final turn. In the stretch, Big Christian dug in gamely and fended off DG’s Caviar at the wire, winning by one length. Spell Goodlookin finished third to make it an Indiana sired trifecta.
Big Christian paid $4.78 for the win. The four-year-old Swan for All gelding, who just started his racing career earlier this year, is owned by Anthony Lombardi. Marvin Katz and Al Libfeld bred the gelding, who earned his seventh win this year. Overall, he has more than $75,000 on his card with his career best time taken at Harrah’s Hoosier Park in 1:53.3 in early May.
Big Christian joined fellow Indiana sired pacer Frankie Frankie as a winner on the card. The three-year-old son of Tellitlikeitis started from the second tier and got away at the back of the pack as Toxic Rock and Matt Krueger set the early pace of :26.4. Mayhem Hanover took over at that point and set middle fractions of :55.0 and 1:23.0 with Frankie Frankie in the outside mix to move forward.
In the stretch, Frankie Frankie was widest of all, pacing home in :27.3 for the win in the conditioned pace. Kentukylady and Terry Skinner finished one length back in second over Toxic Rock for third.
Frankie Frankie is owned by Rocco Ruffolo, Doug Overhiser and Rick Howles. Victory Hill Farm bred the gelding, who earned his first win of the season. His career best time was taken last year at two in 1:50.3 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park.
Miller and Bender are leading the standings for trainer and driver in 2023 at Oak Grove.