Buckeye Bullet holds on for Rowland Memorial repeat

Buckeye Bullet continued his winning ways by posting a game repeat victory in the $75,000 Michael F. Rowland Memorial Handicap for Ohio-breds on Saturday at Thistledown.

This was the second victory in as many starts this season for Buckeye Bullet, a 5-year-old Dark Kestrel gelding who races as a homebred for Ruberto Racing Stable, and is trained by that outfit's Louis Ruberto. The gelding returned from a 10-month layoff to post a seven-length victory over statebred horse of the year Mo Dont No in an allowance last month at Thistledown. With his strong start to 2018, he has now won six of his last seven starts dating back to December 2016, including last year's Rowland Memorial.

Buckeye Bullet was away alertly under Luis Quinones and dueled with Ol' L B for the lead around the turn, leading by a half length through a half in 45.68 seconds. He shook Ol' L B off straightening away into the stretch, opening a 1 1/2 length lead on the field. Bubba J, who was fifth after the half, rallied furiously in the stretch, but Buckeye Bullet held sway to win by half a length, with Bubba J nosing out veteran campaigner Eightthehardway for third.

The final time for the six furlongs on a track rated fast was 1:11.28. The winner returned $2.20.