On Tuesday evening, April 23, Johnny Buckshot won the $11,600 Preferred Trot for the second time in a row at The Raceway at the Western Fair District. Tyler Borth earned a spot in the 2024 National Driving Championship by leading the Katie Macneil student to victory in the Preferred and earning the most points from the Ontario Regional Driving Championship (ORDC).
The Ontario Regional Driving Championship was the primary event of the card and was held in races three through eleven. In race two, the Preferred Trot headed to the gate.
In the field of seven, Tyler Borth and the Macneil student took post seven. After starting one stride off, the two backed the field in sixth place through panels set by the favourite, Delgado (Scott Young), in :28.4 and :59.4. On a third over bid after the break, Borth went against his better judgement and sent Johnny Buckshot to the outside, but the two were still in sixth place. In the last turn, Johnny Buckshot gained minimal ground before sprinting away down the stretch. Johnny Buckshot finished with the fastest final panel (:29), steadily picking apart his rivals. It was a close race, with Johnny Buckshot defeating Lass Shot (Garrett Rooney) by a half length in 1:58.4. Delgado finished the triactor.
Throughout his 50 career starts, Johnny Buckshot has won 15 races, including five this year in just 11 starts. With $101,762, he surpassed the six-figure mark in his career bankroll. Brad Wilson is the breeder of the five-year-old Il Sogno Dream-Third Avenue horse. He returned $4.30 as the second choice.