Bet On Buter is best in Ocean feature

BERLIN, Md. — Bet On Buter (Huntsville) turned a three-hole trip into an odds-on harness racing victory in Thursday’s (Aug. 29) featured event at Ocean Downs, an $8,500 optional claiming pace.

One of three horses in the field in for the optional $15,000 base tag, Bet On Buter sat third as Real Surreal and Rhythm Of The Rein disputed a :28 first quarter. At the :57 halfway point, William Carter activated Bet On Buter first-over, and the 4-year-old gelding took over second from a tiring Rhythm Of The Rein with three-eighths to go.

After closing ground into a :27.3 third quarter, Bet On Buter collared Real Surreal in the final 70 yards and won by a widening length in 1:53.2. Cheese Omelet was a beaten third after having won his previous three starts.

Bet On Buter, who races for owner-trainer Darren Ferrell, has now won eight times this season and 16 times in his career. He paid $3.40 to win.

In the sub-feature, a $7,500 pace for non-winners of five pari-mutuel races, Midsize Construction’s Tyson Hanover (Stay Hungry) and trainer-driver Rick Still overcame an early bobble to post his fifth consecutive win. After briefly breaking stride amid a wide leave attempt, Tyson Hanover sustained a gradual two-wide attack through the first three-quarters of the mile to overpower 71-1 pacesetter On Line.

The sophomore gelding delivered another knockout punch in the stretch, evading runner-up Take It To Hardt by 7-3/4 lengths in 1:55. He paid $3.00 to win.

One week remains in the 2024 harness racing meet at Ocean Downs: Live racing will take place Sunday (Sept. 1), Wednesday (Sept. 4) and Thursday (Sept. 5) with post time each night set for 7:05 p.m.

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

From Ocean Downs