Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial starts at Ocean Downs

BERLIN, Md. — Forrest Bartlett’s Deebo Hanover (Papi Rob Hanover-Darena Hanover) made every pole a winning one in his defeat of first-round winner Little Instigator in his $8,500 second-round harness racing division of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial on Tuesday (July 16) at Ocean Downs. Primo Maschio (Badlands Hanover-Primadonna) won the other division of the series for 2-year-old pacers.

Montrell Teague and Deebo Hanover sprinted forward from post two to seat 3-5 favorite Little Instigator in the pocket through a :28.4 first quarter.

After getting his prime rival behind him, the colt coasted unopposed through splits of :59.3 and 1:29 before accelerating home for a 1:57.1 win. Little Instigator could only muster second, 1-3/4 lengths back, while Fallon Hanover finished third.

Kevin Lare trains Deebo Hanover, who paid $4.40 in his maiden-breaking effort following near misses at Harrah’s Philadelphia and Ocean.

The second division saw Primo Maschio extend his record to two-for-two with a lifetime-best 1:57.1 score. Trae Porter situated the gelding in the pocket behind Alexandria’s Dream, stalked fractions of :29.2, :59.4 and 1:29, and emerged off the home turn to down the pacesetter by 1-1/2 lengths. Brooksforreal rallied for third.

Trainer Michael Hall co-owns Primo Maschio, who paid $2.40 to win, with Let It Ride Stables and CTC Stable.

The Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial Series concludes next Tuesday (July 23) with a $12,500-added final for the top eight money earners from both preliminary rounds.

Racing returns to Ocean Downs on Wednesday (July 17). A pair of second-round Tom Cooke Memorial divisions for 2-year-old trotters and a Maryland Sire Stakes event for 3-year-old trotting fillies will be contested as early events, starting at 7:05 p.m.; the 13-race pari-mutuel program, featuring a Maryland Sire Stakes event for 3-year-old pacing fillies and two $12,000 Open events, will begin at 7:45 p.m.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Ocean Downs