Arrakis scores in London return

Arrakis (Federal Flex) made his first trip to The Raceway at the Western Fair District since Jan. 3 and tallied a convincing harness racing win on Tuesday (Mar. 28).

Tyler Moore requested speed from post five and earned a seat behind the fast-leaving Scene A Magician (Garrett Rooney). The latter cut a quarter of :28 and had free reign to the half in :56.1.

With Sizzlen Hot Herbie (Natasha Day) inching closer on the outside down the backstretch, Moore popped the pocket. Arrakis arrived at the leader’s flank as the timer flashed 1:27.2 for three-quarters, and the two dueled around the final turn. Once straightened for home, Arrakis showed his might and put away Scene A Magician before sprinting home to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:56.4.

Scene A Magician narrowly held second over Eyes of Justice (Tyler Borth).

ARRAKIS REPLAY

Arrakis has now won 42 of his 260 lifetime starts and has earned $570,000. The 11-year-old last raced at London on Jan. 3, breaking at the start and finishing seventh. His past six appearances have been at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Francis Guillemette of Guelph has trained the gelding to three wins in nine tries this year. He co-owns him with Robert Bernicky of L’Ange-Gardien.

Also on the card, Bucktober (Flanagan Memory) added another victory to his win streak to make it eight-in-a-row with a new lifetime mark. Tyler Borth deployed usual tactics to get the gelding to the lead at the quarter. His biggest threat, the first-over Jayport Roadrunner (Scott Wray), broke just past three-quarters, and Bucktober hustled home to score in 1:59.2.

BUCKTOBER REPLAY

He has won eight straight at the same level at London. He is 15-for-30 lifetime and has made $76,158. Borth trains and co-owns him with William Borth of Ingersoll and Karen Sparling of Thamesford.

The Raceway at the Western Fair District continues action on Wednesday, Mar. 29 at 5:50 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink