The photogenic pacer Duke put rivals on notice with a sizzling qualifier at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday
.
The Jamie Copley trainee, who hadn’t raced since this past summer's final of the Gold Cup & Saucer in PEI, put up a huge closing quarter and career best of :27.1 on an off track to win his prep in a mile time of 1:57.
Duke, who didn’t start racing until age five, really came to life when sent to the barn of Jamie Copley, starting 2009 off with a 10-race win streak which ran from January to March.
The son of Dexter Nukes out of Falcon Seelster mare Maddys Image lowered his mark to 1:53.1 at Chester Racetrack this past June. His 2009 earnings now stand at $55,584, which is far better than his paltry bankroll of $19,677 earned in 2008.
In many ways Duke’s successful turnaround mirrors that of his trainer. Copley is having a career year with 68 wins and over $330,000 in purse earnings; quite a turn around compared to last year’s 14 wins and just $98,829 in earnings.
Click here to view the charted harness racing results from the Rideau qualifying session.
(Rideau)
Good to see him back! best
Good to see him back! best of luck with him.
Good to see the old boy is
Good to see the old boy is back!!!!! Looking forward to seeing him at Woodbine soon.