After odds-on wins in both preliminary legs, Primo Maschio prevailed again as the 2-5 favourite in the $20,000 final of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial on Tuesday, July 23 at Ocean Downs, completing a sweep of the series for two-year-old pacers and remaining undefeated through three career starts.
Trae Porter put Primo Maschio on the point from the pole position, seating Deebo Hanover through a :28 first quarter and rating soft middle splits of :58.2 and 1:27.2. Turning for home, the Badlands Hanover-Primadonna gelding edged away gradually to down Deebo Hanover by 2-1/4 lengths and lower his lifetime mark to 1:56 over 'good' going. Little Instigator saved show.
Trainer Michael Hall co-owns Primo Maschio with Let It Ride Stables and CTC Stable. The winner paid $2.80.
Porter also won with Happy That ($3.40, 1:59.4), She Is Strong ($5.60, 1:56.1) and Can We Dance ($16.20, 1:55.3) to lead all drivers with four wins on the 12-race card.
Live harness racing at Ocean Downs resumes on Wednesday, July 24, with a combined $350,000 USD on the line in the summer Maryland Sire Stakes championships for three-year-olds and the $13,500 USD final of the Tom Cooke Memorial. First post for the 13-race pari-mutuel card is 7:05 p.m. The Maryland Sire Stakes final for three-year-old trotting fillies will take place at 6:50 p.m., as a non-wagering event.
(Ocean Downs)