RT Sun Poco is double trouble at The Meadows

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, a series for 3- and 4-year-old filly and mare trotters, 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 2 1/2 lengths in 1:57, equaling her career best. Lookslike Marie closed well for third.

Brocious Racing Stable owns RT Sun Poco, a 4-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 Mohegan Sun at 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, two lengths back, with Heza Challenger third.

Ron Burke trains Speed Bomb, a 7-year-old son of Master Lavec-Mighty JC who extended his career bankroll to $488,254, for Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, JJK Stables and Phillip Collura.

Palone drove four winners on the 13-race card while Burke fashioned a triple. (The Meadows)

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