Buckhams Bay went by way of Woodlawn, Ontario for Hall of Famer Jacques Hebert en route to capturing Wednesday’s $130,000 O.S.S. Gold Series Final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings
at Grand River Raceway. It was the fourth win in as many tries for the talented youngster.
The homebred son of Ken Warkentin-Merles Image, who took last week’s elimination in 2:02, summoned up 1:59.1 speed in Wednesday’s tilt despite getting parked every step of the mile.
Whatabout Tom (Kelly Sheppard) and Plato (Trevor Ritchie) went toe-to-toe past the quarter pole in :28.3 before the latter was forced to retreat into the two-hole. Those two held their positions at the half, which flashed up in :58.4, but they had company in the form of the parked out Buckhams Bay.
Whatabout Tom was still in charge of the tempo at the three-quarter pole in 1:28.4, but Buckhams Bay was just a length away on the outside. Plato was lurking in the pocket spot and Sim Brown was driving three-wide after getting stuck in traffic during the early part of the mile.
Buckhams Bay used a :30.1 final quarter push to prevail by a half-length over Plato, with Whatabout Tom fading late to finish third. Time for the mile was 1:59.1 for the John Smith-trained homebred.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite, Buckhams Bay watched his bankroll soar to $170,000 with the win. He is owned by John Smith Racing Stb Inc of Woodlawn, ON.
The next stop on the O.S.S. trail for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings is Rideau Carleton Raceway. The five-eighths mile oval will host Gold Series eliminations (if necessary) on August 20.
To view Wednesday’s results, click here.
C Ann Imrie I totally agree
C Ann Imrie
I totally agree with Mr.Resnitsky! Today's drivers could learn alot from a class act like Jacques Hebert. And perhaps, the industry as a whole.
Once again, it was Jacques
Once again, it was Jacques Hebert, who showed the world of harness racing why he's a true Hall of Famer as he guided Buchams Bay to his fourth consecutive victory in The OSS Finals for two-year-old trotting colts at Grand River Raceway.
And yes Greg(Blanchard), they did throw everything at Jacques and his trotting buddy, to throw them off, park them, disorient them, but they prevailed. And through a parked out trip for the entire mile, Hebert gently led his student to victory, never raising his hand to hurt his great horse,and knowing the soft spoken Jacques, probably never raising his voice either. It was a great example of a driver respecting his horse, and contending with some other drivers who simply put, did everything they could under the rules, to keep him from winning.
Young drivers and many older drivers in this great industry, could learn a lot from ole Jacques, about a style of driving, that would bring back the fans, not continue to drive them away.
Wow...what an effort. Threw
Wow...what an effort. Threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and still couldn't beat him. Very Impressive!