With Dexter Dunn in the driver’s seat, Captain Luke parlayed a two-hole trip into a 1:47.3 victory in the $182,847 first division of the Sam McKee Memorial (Grade 2) for open pacers on a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon, Aug. 2 at The Meadowlands. The $181,111 second split went to the David Miller-driven Ken Hanover in 1:49.
Leaving from post six in the first division of the race named for the Meadowlands announcer who passed away in 2017, Dunn moved Captain Luke forward quickly off the gate, sliding into second behind the Jason Bartlett-driven Coaches Corner, who started from post one. As Coaches Corner rattled off fractions of :27, :54 and 1:21, Dunn remained patiently behind with Captain Luke.
Approaching three-quarters, Andy McCarthy had 4-5 betting favourite Maximus Miki on the move first-over after sitting third, with the Yannick Gingras-driven Bythemissal poised second-over. As Maximus Miki stalled down the lane, Bythemissal moved wide to take aim at the leaders.
In deep stretch, Dunn angled Captain Luke off the pylons, and the four-year-old son of Captaintreacherous out of Bodacious Hanover — sent off as the fourth choice at 5-1 — surged past Coach’s Corner to win by three-quarters of a length. Muskateer Hanover rallied for third for David Miller while Bythemissal settled for fourth.
“We got a good trip today; he swelled up coming off the last turn,” said Dunn in the winner’s circle. “Once he got clear, he got going.”
The mile was a career-best for the Vieux Carré Farms-bred Captain Luke, who was purchased at last November’s Standardbred Horse Sales Company Mixed Sale for $555,556 by trainer Andrew Harris in partnership with William Pollock and Bruce Areman of Freehold, New Jersey. The win was his second in eight starts this year and seventh overall in his career.
“Dex gave him a perfect trip and I can’t thank him enough,” said Harris. “[Captain Luke’s] been super sharp. Last week, he had a tough trip.”
Ken Hanover, who had a five-race win streak snapped last time out in the William Haughton Memorial, rebounded with a come-from-behind effort in the second McKee division.
Miller got away fourth with 2-1 betting favourite Ken Hanover and remained in that position as the Bartlett-driven Huntinthelastdolar and the Todd McCarthy-directed Captain Albano traded the lead through first-half fractions of :27.1 and :55.1.
As the field passed three-quarters in 1:22.4, Dunn had Sabonis charging first-over, with Miller and Ken Hanover tucked behind second-over.
Midway down the stretch, Miller tipped Ken Hanover wide, and the five-year-old son of Captaintreacherous out of KJs Justine easily surged to the victory. Splitting horses late, Huntinthelastdolar was 1-1/2 lengths behind in second, with Sabonis settling for third.
Ken Hanover’s five prior wins this year came at five different racetracks, with his Saturday score being his second at the Meadowlands. That first Big M win came in a division of the Dave Brower Memorial on June 28.
“He’s been winning and he knows it,” said trainer Roland Mallar, who shares ownership of the Hanover Shoe Farms-bred horse with Patrick Leavitt, Buxton, Maine, William Jordan of Fryeberg, Maine and Dennis Osterholt of Boyton Beach, Florida.
Ken Hanover now has six wins in eight starts this year and 19 victories lifetime.
Both McKee winners surpassed the million-dollar mark in career earnings.
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack; photo of Captain Luke winning on Aug. 2)