Owner/trainer Melissa Killen got an immediate return on her investment when Duke Did It eked out a narrow victory at long odds in Thursday’s $12,000 Preferred Pace at Kawartha Downs

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The six-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Town Feather, who was scooped up by Killean from a $15,000 claiming event at Woodbine Racetrack on November 24, was a front-stepping winner at odds of 38-1 in what turned out to be a memorable first start for his new handler.

With Aaron Byron at the lines, Duke Did It shot to the top from Post 8 and successfully sliced out splits of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26 before using a :28-second final frame to win by half a length over Topcornerterror in 1:54. Rock The Wind, who came first-over, took home the show dough.

The victory was the third of the season for Duke Did It. The 20-time winner lifted his lifetime earnings to $224,613 with the triumph.

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs.