Harold “Bucky” Gray Jr. remembered at Ocean
from Ocean Downs Racing Publicity
BERLIN, Md. — A large number of horsepeople gathered Sunday (July 21) in the Ocean Downs winner’s circle to remember the life of trainer-driver Harold “Bucky” Gray Jr., who passed May 26 — the opening day of the 2024 Ocean meeting — at the age of 56.
(courtesy K. Moyer Photography): The Ocean Downs community gathers trackside in memory of Harold “Bucky” Gray Jr., whose driving colors appear on the seat of the race bike. Gray, who passed in May, was active as a trainer and driver from 1985 through 2017.
Gray, who resided in Bishopville, Md., and won 708 races as a driver and 107 as a trainer, was honored Sunday with a $6,500 conditioned pace, which Derrick Guertin’s Ibite Ask Doug won in 1:56.3 in line to Trae Porter. Gray will also be memorialized in Tuesday’s (July 23) featured event at Ocean Downs, the $14,600 final of the Bucky Gray Jr. Memorial late-closing series, for 2-year-old pacers.
Sunday’s $12,000 Open 1 Handicap Pace saw Lyons Stealth sustain a first-over push out of fourth to collar and overpower pacesetter Fantastic Voyage by 1-3/4 lengths in a career best-equaling 1:51.2. William Carter drove the 4-year-old Sweet Lou gelding, who paid $9.00 to win, to his 11th career victory for trainer Darren Olsen and owner Cole Olsen.
In the sub-featured $10,000 Open 2 Pace, Walden Woods won his third consecutive race by wiring his seven rivals and posting a three-length, 1:54.1 score over the late-rallying Panther’s Pinot. Hugh O’Neil drove the 6-year-old Betting Line gelding, who paid $4.20 to win, for owner-trainer Samuel Young.
Live racing at Ocean Downs resumes Tuesday with a 12-race card due to commence at 7:05 p.m.
