Published: November 26, 2009 4:25 pm ET

Last Comment: November 27, 2009 3:03 pm ET | 2 Comment(s) | Jump to Comments

The photogenic pacer Duke put rivals on notice with a sizzling qualifier at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday.

The Jamie Copley trainee, who hadn’t raced since this past summer's final of the Gold Cup & Saucer in PEI, put up a huge closing quarter and career best of :27.1 on an off track to win his prep in a mile time of 1:57.

Duke, who didn’t start racing until age five, really came to life when sent to the barn of Jamie Copley, starting 2009 off with a 10-race win streak which ran from January to March.

The son of Dexter Nukes out of Falcon Seelster mare Maddys Image lowered his mark to 1:53.1 at Chester Racetrack this past June. His 2009 earnings now stand at $55,584, which is far better than his paltry bankroll of $19,677 earned in 2008.

In many ways Duke’s successful turnaround mirrors that of his trainer. Copley is having a career year with 68 wins and over $330,000 in purse earnings; quite a turn around compared to last year’s 14 wins and just $98,829 in earnings.

Click here to view the charted harness racing results from the Rideau qualifying session.

(Rideau)