Ducky Drake hardly acts his age in KLAQ Handicap

Just weeks from turning 9, Ducky Drake proved he has still got it on Saturday, when he overcame trouble to win his second straight stakes race in the $50,000 KLAQ Handicap at Sunland Park.

The 5 1/2- furlong sprint opened the stakes program at Sunland.

Ducky Drake ($7.60) trailed the field early, hit traffic when making his run, then angled out to get up for a half-length win over Tactful. It was another neck back in third to 4-5 favorite and pacesetter Kineticat Yankee.

Miguel Hernandez rode Ducky Drake, who earned $30,000 to push his bankroll over the $500,000 mark. In all, he has won 16 of 41 starts. The KLAQ score came on the heels of Ducky Drake’s win in the $55,000 Lea County Sprint this fall at Zia Park.

Bart Hone trains Ducky Drake for Ralph E. and Aury Todd.

The horse has won seven stakes and $515,939. He is now a two-time winner of the KLAQ, with his first win in the race coming in 2007.

* One Diamond Kitty ($7.40) was a nose winner of the $120,000 Jess Burner Memorial, a restricted Grade 1 for Quarter Horses.