With a mid-race brush to the top on a windy afternoon, Dontpokethedragon left the competition in his wake to romp in the $8,100 Open Pace on opening day at Century Downs Tuesday (May 18).
Dontpokethedragon landed in third from post 2 off the wings while 9-5 favourite Just A Start dueled with Outlaw Gunsablazin for the lead by a :27.3 opening quarter. As the tempo cooled, driver Dave Kelly hustled Dontpokethedragon out of third and to the point past a :57.3 half.
Kelly then quickened the pace into the backstretch while Just A Start and Outlawgunsablazin tired, forcing the backfield around them while Dontpokethedragon coasted by three-quarters in 1:26.1. With his margin widening around the final turn, Dontpokethedragon continued to grow his lead to the beam, hitting the finish of a 1:58.2 mile 11-and-a-quarter lengths in front of second-place finisher Armycaptin Hanover. I Ama Rocket closed for third.