by Keith Gisser, assistant publicity director, Northfield Park

Dean Davis’ Dunkster went gate-to-wire Monday night, winning Northfield’s Open Trot in 1:54.2, setting a new all-age track trotting record in the process. Dunkster and trainer/driver Kurt Sugg were parked to the the quarter in 27.2 by Glory Bound, but once the pair cleared it was all over but the shouting. Glory Bound finished well back in second and Gold’n Riddle won a tight photo for third.

Dunkster’s 1:54.2 track record eclipsed the 1:54 mark set by stablemate Blastaway Sahbra in June 2002. It also knocked more than a second and a half off the divisional mark for veteran geldings. That record, 1:56, had been held by Hesza Laser and Wall of Famer Berlin Flyer. The time also set new world records for all-age geldings (previously held by Blastaway Sahbra and set at Northfield, as above) and for five and up trotting geldings.

Dunkster was making his first start off a two month layoff after facing the best in the nation in the Su Mac Lad Series at the Meadowlands and the Mack Lobell Series at Pompano Park. He now boasts a 2004 summary of 11-1-1 while banking $48,050. His career bankroll stands at $285,184.