A large number of horsepeople gathered on Sunday, July 21 in the Ocean Downs winner's circle to remember the life of trainer/driver Harold "Bucky" Gray Jr., who passed away on May 26 — the opening day of the 2024 Ocean meeting — at the age of 56.
Gray, who resided in Bishopville, Md., and won 708 races as a driver and 107 as a trainer, was honoured on Sunday with a $8,904 conditioned pace, which Derrick Guertin's Ibite Ask Doug won in 1:56.3 in line to Trae Porter.
The Ocean Downs community gathers trackside in memory of Harold "Bucky" Gray Jr., whose driving colours appear on the seat of the race bike. Gray, who passed away in May, was active as a trainer and driver from 1985 through 2017.
Gray will also be memorialized in the Tuesday, July 23 featured event at Ocean Downs, the $14,600 USD final of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial late-closing series, for two-year-old pacers.
In Sunday's $16,438 Open 1 Handicap Pace, Lyons Stealth sustained a first-over push out of fourth to overpower pacesetter Fantastic Voyage by 1-3/4 lengths in a career best-equalling 1:51.2. William Carter drove the four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding to his 11th career victory for trainer Darren Olsen and owner Cole Olsen. He paid $9 to win.
In the sub-featured $13,699 Open 2 Pace, Walden Woods won his third consecutive race by wiring his seven rivals and posting a three-length, 1:54.1 score over the late-rallying Panthers Pinot. Hugh O'Neil drove the six-year-old Betting Line gelding, who paid $4.20 to win, for owner/trainer Samuel Young.
Live harness racing at Ocean Downs resumes on Tuesday with a 12-race card due to commence at 7:05 p.m.
(Ocean Downs)