Dukester, who was knocking at the door in last week's top trot at Pompano Park, finally got the job done on Tuesday night with a lifetime best 1:54.1 victory in the $14,000 Open Handicap Trot over South Florida's five-eighths mile oval.
Trained and driven by Rick Plano for owners Allyn Jones and Mary Ann Plano, Dukester pinned a three-length defeat on Baby Boy Grin (Kevin Wallis) with the late surging Striker Ace (Ed Hensley) third.
M C Felix took the early lead and dictated the opening quarter timed in :28. Baby Boy Grin, away alertly before yielding around the first turn, wasn't content to stay in the pocket and, after the opener, took command and marched over to the half in :56. On the backside, Dukester, third early on behind the two pacesetters, made his bid first over and moved on even terms with Baby Boy Grin at the third station timed in 1:25.2. From there, the outcome was never in doubt as Dukester increased his margin with every stride.
“This trotter knows how to relax early and he knows when to get down to business,” said driver Rick Plano. “When I asked him on the backside, he responded like a good horse does. He can consistently trot final quarters in :28 and change here, so I was pretty confident when we turned for home."
Plano then quipped, "He seems to be getting better with age as he took his former mark of 1:55...just three weeks ago!"
This seven-year-old son of Duke Of York won for the 11th time this year to send his seasonal bankroll to $82,012. He's banked $234,525 lifetime. He paid $5.40.
(Pompano Park)