Johnny Buckshot blows away Preferred field

Johnny Buckshot (Il Sogno Dream) crushed his harness racing rivals in a powerful performance to win the Preferred Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday (Apr. 3).

He sat fourth in the early going, remaining on the pylons through the :28.2 first quarter before Scott Wray motioned him out behind the parked-out Heavy Dude E (Ryan Desroche) nearing the half in :58.4.

Johnny Buckshot followed the cover until circling the stalling rival approaching three-quarters in 1:28.4. After stepping around him, he battled leader Scene A Magician (Lorne House) around the far turn. Johnny Buckshot found another gear as they straightened for home and stormed four-and-three-quarter lengths clear for the victory in 1:58.1.

Scene A Magician fell into the clutches of Hot Fudge Sundae (Alfie Carroll) but found the line in time to hold second.

JOHNNY BUCKSHOT REPLAY

The winner, a Brad Wilson homebred, has now won 13 of 47 lifetime starts and has earned $89,234. Katie MacNeil trains the five-year-old and has raised him to the Preferred level in the past month. The gelding is now three-for-eight on the season.

Scott Wray completed a natural hat trick with the win in the finale.

Racing resumes at the London oval on Friday, Apr. 5 at 5:50 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink