by John Berry, for Pompano Park

Pompano Beach, FL — Dukester, who was knocking at the door in last week’s top trot at Pompano Park, finally got the job done on Tuesday night (Dec. 23) 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. The early leader, M C, Felix, finished fourth while Warrawee Promesse picked up the remaining marbles in the sextet.

Skip Smith photo

Dukester captured Pompano Park’s $14,000 Open Handicap Trot on Tuesday night with a lifetime best 1:54.1 performance.

Indeed, it was M C Felix that 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.

In a post race interview, driver Rick Plano said, “This trotter knows how to relax early and he knows when to get down to business. 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 7-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. As the 8-5 favorite on the tote board, Dukester paid $5.40 to win.