Dapper Dude left well for early position and prevailed off a ground-saving trip in the $34,000 Preferred Pace featured on Saturday night's harness racing card at Mohawk Racetrack.
Driver Randy Waples hustled Dapper Dude off the gate from post six to establish the early lead over the popular inside starter Dovuto Hanover (Sylvain Filion), but Apprentice Hanover (Chris Christoforou) was parked out and drove on to claim the leading role past the :26.4 first quarter mark.
Down the backstretch, 3-5 favourite Dovuto Hanover made his move and edged by Apprentice Hanover at the midway mark in :54.2. He cleared to command and raced to three-quarters in 1:22.1 while Duc Dorleans (Phil Hudon) tipped out from fourth and fanned wide as Apprentice Hanover popped back out of the pocket spot.
Dovuto Hanover, a winner of three of his last four starts in the Preferred, was still in control as the field turned for home, but that was about to change as Dapper Dude came through between horses in deep stretch to prevail in 1:50.2 for Hall of Fame trainer Bob McIntosh. Wazzup Wazzup (Jonathan Drury), the longest shot on the board at odds of 36-1, closed well from last on the far outside to get by Dovuto Hanover late in the mile for second-place honours.
Dapper Dude paid $15.10 to win as the 6-1 third choice in the 10th race field of seven.
The son of The Panderosa has earned 12 top three finishes, including four wins, in 20 starts during his five-year-old campaign for a seasonal bankroll of $120,110. Lifetime, he's made 16 trips to the winner's circle and has won $744,831 in purse money.
Dapper Dude is owned and bred by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor, Ont. and Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington, Ont.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.