Bucktober back with Preferred win

Bucktober (Flanagan Memory) returned to the harness racing track after nearly a month away and kicked off his 2025 campaign with a victory in the Preferred Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday (Jan. 7).

Driver and co-owner Tyler Borth sent his gelding on a speed mission, securing control from the rail with :29 speed to the quarter on the surface rated two seconds slow. Southwind Domino (Daryl Thiessen) emerged from the three-hole as they neared the stands and loomed in the leader’s mirror through middle fractions of 1:00.2 and 1:31. He stalled going into the final turn and foes clambered for racetrack to get around him.

The field fanned six-wide as they straightened for home with every horse bearing down on the leader. But Bucktober had enough in reserve and reached the line with a length-and-a-quarter to spare in 2:02.

Pocket-sitter Insanity (Jason Ryan) held on in a five-across finish for second. Lass Shot (Garrett Rooney) was third.

BUCKTOBER REPLAY

Bucktober nabbed his 27th career victory with Tuesday’s performance. He was scratched twice late last month, resulting in a four-week break after a strong place finish at London on Dec. 10. Katie Macneil trains the six-year-old, who has earned $172,158 in 73 lifetime outings, for Tyler Borth, William Borth of Ingersoll, and Karen Hossack of Thamesford.

Also on the card, trainer Stephen Gillard took his first win since 2020. Calling Stella (Hes Watching), whom he co-owns and -bred, broke her maiden for the conditioner after going 0-for-16 as a rookie. The four-year-old mare out sprinted the pacesetter off a pocket trip and held off the closing Abbey Gale (Nick Steward) to win by a head in 2:03.1 with Travis Henry in the bike.

Gillard’s last win came nearly five years ago when Fashion Writer won over a mile-and-a-16th at London. The trainer sent out 35 starters between then and Tuesday’s win, the 119th of his career. He shares ownership of Calling Stella with Marilyn Gillard.

The Raceway at the Western Fair District will resume action on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5:50 p.m. EST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink