Can anyone beat the Takter trio?
That’s the big question for Saturday’s $1 million Hambletonian at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Trainer Jimmy Takter sends out the formidable triumvirate of Father Patrick (4-5, post 10), Trixton (7-2 , post 7) and Nuncio (9-2, post 5).
The Meadowlands’ current top dash-winning driver, Yannick Gingras, will guide Father Patrick, who is a perfect 6-for-6 this season and has won 15 straight races dating back to last season. The only blemish on his impressive 16-for-17 lifetime record was a loss to stablemate Nuncio.
“Father Patrick is my strongest horse,” Takter said. “But it’s not an ideal post, but this horse is extremely good.”
Nuncio, who got the best draw of Takter’s colts, will be driven by Hall of Famer John Campbell, who has won a record six Hambletonian trophies.
“I’m happy with the draw. It gives me options going out of the gate. I think there’s going to be a lot of action in the first quarter of the mile, it just depends how hot that is and how many are involved,” Campbell said.
“Father Patrick, believe me, he’s earned all the accolades he’s gotten. His 15-race win streak is incredible. But at the same time, I’m going to try to upset him on Saturday.”
Trixton will be driven by Takter, who has won the Hambletonian twice as a trainer but never as a driver.
“Both Patrick and Nuncio have a little bit more gate speed than [Trixton] has. But [Trixton] is a class horse, a good horse. If the pace sets up and he gets the right trip, he can finish very well,” Takter said.
“To just get one horse [to the Hambletonian], that’s exciting, but all three horses are really exceptional. I would be extremely disappointed if I don’t end up winning the Hambletonian this year. My goal is to win the Hambletonian” Takter said.
CBS Sports Network will broadcast live from the Meadowlands on Saturday from 4-5:30 p.m. Post time for the Hambletonian is 5:11 p.m.