Oak Grove: Wrong Sounds Right, Climatic Hanover earn spots in Trotting Derby, Trotting Oaks elims
Two more standout 2-year-old trotters have punched their tickets to the eliminations for the 2027 Oak Grove Trotting Derby and Oaks following major Grand Circuit victories over the weekend.
In the colt and gelding division, Wrong Sounds Right secured an automatic qualifying berth in the eliminations for the 2027 $500,000 Oak Grove Trotting Derby with a victory in the C$1,000,000 Mohawk Million at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, September 26. Driven by Todd McCarthy for trainer Jim Campbell, Wrong Sounds Right set a stakes and track record while equaling the world record with a time of 1:51 1/5. The colt is owned by Runthetable Stables.
In the filly division, Climatic Hanover earned her automatic qualifying spot in the eliminations to the 2027 $300,000 Oak Grove Trotting Oaks by capturing the $285,000 Kentuckiana Stallion Management for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Friday, September 25 at Harrah's Hoosier Park. Driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Lucas Wallin, Climatic Hanover set a track record of 1:52 2/5. The filly is owned by K Andersen Racing Stable.
The "Road to..." series was established to reward top 2-year-old trotting performances and enrich Oak Grove's premier events. A series of designated Grand Circuit and Sire Stakes races serve as automatic qualifying events to the Derby and Oaks eliminations.
Road to the Oak Grove Trotting Derby
| Date | Automatic Qualifying Race | 2026 Race Winner |
| 8/8/2026 | New Jersey Sire Stakes Final | Lifetime Dreamer |
| 8/29/2026 | William Wellwood Memorial | Ocean Storm |
| 9/7/2026 | Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final | Jimdougie Armitage |
| 9/12/2026 | Ohio Sires Stakes Final | Cool Julio |
| 9/12/2026 | New York Sire Stakes Final | Uncle Rob |
| 9/18/2026 | Peter Haughton Memorial | Swan Good Bi |
| 9/20/2026 | Kentucky Championship Series Final | Whateverittakes As |
| 9/26/2026 | Mohawk Million | Wrong Sounds Right |
| 10/9/2026 | Indiana Sire Stakes Final | |
| 10/9/2026 | Ontario Sires Stakes Final | |
| 10/23/2026 | Breeders Crown Final | |
| 11/14/2026 | Valley Victory |
Road to the Oak Grove Trotting Oaks
| Date | Automatic Qualifying Race | Winner |
| 8/8/2026 | New Jersey Sire Stakes Final | Wall Of Fame |
| 8/29/2026 | Peaceful Way Stakes Final | Athena's Girl |
| 9/7/2026 | Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Final | Birr Castle |
| 9/12/2026 | Ohio Sires Stakes Final | Blue Ranger |
| 9/12/2026 | New York Sire Stakes Final | Kountry Plunge |
| 9/18/2026 | Jim Doherty Memorial | Birr Castle |
| 9/20/2026 | Kentucky Championship Series Final | Wall Of Fame |
| 9/25/2026 | Kentuckiana Stallion Management | Climatic Hanover |
| 10/9/2026 | Indiana Sire Stakes Final | |
| 10/9/2026 | Ontario Sires Stakes Final | |
| 10/23/2026 | Breeders Crown Final | |
| 11/14/2026 | Goldsmith Maid |
About Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel
Oak Grove Racing, Gaming and Hotel is a premier harness racing and gaming destination in Oak Grove, Kentucky, dedicated to providing a world-class experience to guests and supporting the local community. Oak Grove’s annual 36-day race meet is conducted from mid-March through mid-July with average daily purses ranking among the leaders in North America.
About the Kentucky Harness Association
The Kentucky Harness Association exists to promote, support and facilitate growth in the harness industry in Kentucky and to promote and encourage cooperative efforts among racetracks, owners, breeders, trainers and drivers, fans, and other industry participants for the overall benefit of the industry. The KHA strives to increase visibility on issues that impact the industry on local, state, and national levels while continuing to promote the Kentucky harness racing and breeding industry -www.kentuckyharness.com.
--press release (Oak Grove)--