Claim back successful for Kim Smith

Three weeks ago, Ohsweken-based harness racing owner and trainer Kim Smith lost Nates Bucky, one of few members of her small barn, to a claim.

She immediately reinvested the $8,500 tag to buy the gelding back in his following start, and the nine-year-old son of Armbro Deuce validated her decision as wired the field in his first race back for Smith at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday.

Nates Bucky surged from his starting post eight and secured the lead early for Ryan Desroche, creating :27.4 first quarter mile speed. He spent the :56.3 and 1:26.1 middle fractions fighting off first-over challenger Rye N Clyne (Marc St. Louis) and dispatched the foe on the final turn. Livin Large (Tyler Borth) motored after the leader late, but Nates Bucky kept him behind and sealed the victory in 1:55.2.

NATES BUCKY REPLAY

Smith acquired the gelding through a claim on Oct. 29, 2020 and raced him for 14 straight starts, which included three wins. He was claimed by Jodie and Travis Cullen after his victory at Grand River Raceway on Jul. 28. The Cullens entered him at the same level on Aug. 4 and improved the horse by two and two-fifth seconds in his only start for them, which he won by eight and a quarter lengths in lifetime best-equaling time.

Smith bought the horse back in that race and shipped him to Hiawatha for the Saturday win. Overall, he is four-for-15 for her and 25-for-129 lifetime.

Hiawatha Horse Park will see action again on Saturday, Aug. 21.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink