by John Manzi, publicity director, Monticello Raceway

Country Duke A cruised to his eighth consecutive victory at Monticello Raceway on Thursday, February 3 and now is but one victory away from equaling the track record of nine consecutive wins.

With Jimmy Devaux in the sulky the Leonard Vono-owned pacer again turned back a field of $4000 claimers when he scored a three length triumph over Dragon Sahbra (Mike Merton) in a time of 2:01.

Sent off as the prohibitive favorite, and despite having to start from post position eight, Country Duke A paid a paltry $2.90 for win. His current credentials are so impressive that there was no show wagering in his race.

No sooner than the starting judge said go Country Duke A charged away from the mobile gate and had open lengths even before reaching the first turn. And after Devaux got his pacer past the quarter pole in 29 seconds the only thing that remained in doubt was the margin of victory.

Though Dragon Sahbra closed to within a length of Country Duke A in the final turn when the two pacers straightened away in the home stretch “the Duke” looked like a king and he drew off to and easy victory.

When asked if he was ever in doubt about the victory Devaux quickly remarked: “ I’m always in doubt until we reach the wire. Mike’s (Merton) horse (Dragon Sahbra) made a run at us at the top of the stretch but “the Duke” just dug in and we paced away from him.”

Country Duke A covered the last half mile in 1:00 flat and kicked in a 29:3 final stanza en route to consecutive victory number eight.

“Can you break the track record” someone shouted at Devaux while he was posing for a picture in the winners circle.

“I’d be thrilled if we just tie the record,” he said. “But really, I try not to think about it.”