Johnny Buckshot fires to first Preferred

Johnny Buckshot (Il Sogno Dream) scored his first Preferred victory on Tuesday (Feb. 27) at The Raceway at the Western Fair District in an open-length harness racing win.

Tyler Borth tucked the gelding into the three-hole at the quarter in :29.1 as longshots battled in front of him, and he and remained on the cones to the half in :59. Johnny Buckshot started a march on the third turn and raced past So Not Cool (Samuel Fillion) on the backstretch.

Johnny Buckshot opened up a cushion to three-quarters in 1:29 but was followed closely by Marvin Hagler (Brett MacDonald) into the stretch. Johnny Buckshot pulled away again, though, and streaked clear by three-and-a-quarter lengths as he secured the victory in 1:57.3.

Marvin Hagler was a clear second best. Treasured Tee (Mario Baillargeon) finished third, six lengths back.

JOHNNY BUCKSHOT REPLAY

Johnny Buckshot has now taken back-to-back wins. Katie Macneil trains the gelding, who set a lifetime mark in a seven-length victory last out. His Tuesday win was his first in a Preferred event. The five-year-old has earned $79,056 and has won 12 of 43 career starts for owner/breeder Brad Wilson of Camlachie.

Shoot The Whiskey (Shadow Play) won the co-featured Fillies and Mares Preferred Handicap. She went up the inside in the stretch and chased down favourite Major League N (Ed Hensley) to prevail by a half-length for driver Travis Cullen in 1:54.4. Major League N completed the exactor with So Frisky (Colin Kelly) further back in third.

SHOOT THE WHISKEY REPLAY

Shoot The Whiskey has won three of seven races this season for trainer Jodie Cullen. The five-year-old mare is 21-for-68 lifetime with $273,187 in earnings. Travis Cullen co-owns the mare with Paul Sanders of Surrey and J J J Stables of Prince George.

The Raceway at the Western Fair District continues its racing schedule on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 5:50 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink