Sporting earplugs for the first time, RT Sun Poco powered to the front from post eight and proved unassailable on the lead as she captured Wednesday’s $25,000 final of the Double Trouble Series at The Meadows
In last week’s series leg, Lucky Charm used the Lightning Lane to nip the front-ending RT Sun Poco, a result that prompted trainer/driver Robert Rougeaux III to change his mare’s equipment.
“Last week, RT Sun Poco was wearing a hood and was beaten a nose,” Rougeaux said. “But my mare never heard or saw Lucky Charm coming. So I switched to earplugs this week, and she knew another horse was coming. This mare is really competitive, so that was the difference.”
In the final, Lucky Charm enjoyed the pocket trip again, but RT Sun Poco trotted home in 28.3 to defeat her archrival by more than two lengths in 1:57, equaling her career best. Lookslike Marie closed well for third.
Brocious Racing Stable owns RT Sun Poco, a four-year-old daughter of Yankee Paco-Sunfest who triumphed for the 18th time in 22 lifetime starts. Rougeaux, who purchased Sunfest in foal with RT Sun Poco for $3,200, said he’ll scout overnight opportunities for his mare at The Meadows, Yonkers and Pocono Downs.
In the $25,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Speed Bomb moved to the front for Dave Palone at the quarter pole and never encountered a serious challenge thereafter, drawing off to score in 1:54.4. Diamond Hunter shot the Lightning Lane for second, with Heza Challenger third.
Ron Burke, who had three wins on the program, trains the seven-year-old son of Master Lavec-Mighty JC who extended his career bankroll to $504,162, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and Phillip Collura.
(The Meadows)