Buckhams Bay remained perfect in his young career with another flawless performance in the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes final for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Monday night at Mohawk Racetrack
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With veteran Jacques Hebert in the bike, the son of Ken Warkentin-Merles Image left sharply from post eight and was the first leader before releasing post-10 starter Plato to command at the opening marker in :29.4.
Buckhams Bay came back out to retake on the way to the half and Trevor Ritchie, driving Plato, stretched him out through a brisk :57.4 first half. At hat point, Blazing Benny moved first-over to challenge and pressed the tempo setter through three panels in 1:27.4.
In the stretch, the long-striding colt began to edge away from his rivals and was able to cruise to the easy win in 1:57.3. Imperial Count rallied well to pick up the place spot with Holy Kadabra finishing third ahead of Plato. The winner returned $3.90 as the bettors’ choice.
“I thought I might as well be up front as opposed to getting stuck in traffic or something, so I drove like I thought he was the best and he was,” said driver Jacques Hebert. “All the family was like him; they’re strong racehorses and they want to win. They were all winners, and this colt showed that to me right from the beginning.”
The victory was the second straight for Buckhams Bay who won his elimination a week earlier in 1:57.2. The regally-bred youngster, who is a sibling to $1.1 million winner Mc Cooeye, vaulted his seasonal earnings to just over $85,000 for owner-trainer John Smith of Woodlawn, Ontario.
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To view Monday’s results, click here.
It is so refreshing to see
It is so refreshing to see that connection having succes one more time. What a beautifully gaited horse. Jacques Hébert is a class act and an accomplished trotter driver, just look at the replay and enjoy looking at a driver that knows what his horse is capable of and how to keep him on the bit without using the whip or shaking the racing bike loose from the harness. I have been lucky enough to know Jacques personnaly for 40 years and I remember him driving trotters like Whyatt Dill, Gotta Star and let's not forget Garland Lobell for trainer Onil Patry.
Buckhams Bay, John Smith and Jacques Hebert, what a great story to be told if only our sport had the wits to do some self promotion in the national medias.
You took the words right out
You took the words right out of my mouth. A terrific drive on a terrific horse. He looked so relaxed as he cruised in for the win with those long, rythmic strides. Nice to watch.
Congratulations to Jacques
Congratulations to Jacques Hebert, John & Helene Smith and Merles Image. You have all done Quebec harness racing proud. Keep it up.
Congratulations to Jacques
Congratulations to Jacques Hebert for guiding emerging trotting star Buckhams Bay to the winner's portion of the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes for 2 year old trotting colts and geldings.
It's no accident that Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Famer Hebert drove BB to victory in a flawless manner. He's been doing it for over fifty years mostly at Blue Bonnets and Hippodrome in Montreal.
He's a fine example for future stars of the sport, as he never lifted a rein in winning the big race. Leaving from the eighth post position, and challenged from start to midway through the lane, he and his horse showed why they are true champions. Congratulations to owner-trainer John Smith.
It would be nice to see more of Jacques Hebert, as he always brings a touch of class and dignity to the races in which he drives. The industry could attract more fans if they could see more drives like the one Jacques Hebert made tonight.
In reply to Congratulations to Jacques by BEHINDTHEGATE
What a treat to see such a
What a treat to see such a great racehorse, just a baby and running like a pro. But here is what is even greater, the connections, Smith Racing and Jacques Hebert, never caught in any drugging scandal nor in any race fixing scandal. Smith tries to breed good racehorses and let them run to their ability. And what can you say about Jacques Hebert, this man never abused a racehorse, just natural racing skill who sits behind the bike and knows exactly what he has racing. This was one of the few nights I attended an OTB shop to watch Mohawk and this is what the game needs, good professional shows like we saw in the Ontario Sires Stakes finale.