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BULLETIN: Karl rallies, Takter repeats in Hambletonian

Saturday, August 3, 2024

by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations

<strong>East Rutherford, NJ —</strong> In a much-anticipated rubber match between last year’s freshman trotting standouts Karl and T C I, Karl emerged victorious amid driving rain in the 99th edition of the Hambletonian Stakes, for 3-year-old trotters, on Saturday (Aug. 3) at the Meadowlands. It was the first Hambletonian victory for driver Yannick Gingras and a second consecutive Hambletonian title for trainer Nancy Takter, who won with Tactical Approach in 2023.

Gingras took his time early with Karl, reining the champion back to sixth as Private Access (driven by James MacDonald) vaulted to the fore through a :26.4 first quarter. Shortly after T C I (David Miller) worked his way to the front on the backstretch, Karl angled second-over to stalk the cover of Highland Kismet (Bob McClure) heading to the half in :54.3. Shortly after Highland Kismet ground clear of T C I at the 1:22.4 three-quarters, it appeared as though Karl leveled off after losing cover. But the son of Tactical Landing-Avalicious found more in the final sixteenth and was urged by Gingras to a 1:51.3 victory. Highland Kismet finished second, beaten by a length; Amazing Catch (Dexter Dunn) rode the pegs from post 10 to finish third over Sig Sauer (Andy McCarthy).

Karl won for the 15th time in 17 starts and has earned $1,799,816 for Christina & Nancy Takter & Black Horse Racing, Crawford Farms Racing and Bender Sweden. As the 3-5 favorite, he paid $3.40 to win.

A full story will follow.

-30-

From: James Witherite
Sent: August 3, 2024 17:01
Subject: BULLETIN: Karl rallies, Takter repeats in Hambletonian

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BULLETIN: Karl rallies, Takter repeats in Hambletonian

by James Witherite, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — In a much-anticipated rubber match between last year’s freshman trotting standouts Karl and T C I, Karl emerged victorious amid driving rain in the 99th edition of the Hambletonian Stakes, for 3-year-old trotters, on Saturday (Aug. 3) at the Meadowlands. It was the first Hambletonian victory for driver Yannick Gingras and a second consecutive Hambletonian title for trainer Nancy Takter, who won with Tactical Approach in 2023.

Gingras took his time early with Karl, reining the champion back to sixth as Private Access (driven by James MacDonald) vaulted to the fore through a :26.4 first quarter. Shortly after T C I (David Miller) worked his way to the front on the backstretch, Karl angled second-over to stalk the cover of Highland Kismet (Bob McClure) heading to the half in :54.3. Shortly after Highland Kismet ground clear of T C I at the 1:22.4 three-quarters, it appeared as though Karl leveled off after losing cover. But the son of Tactical Landing-Avalicious found more in the final sixteenth and was urged by Gingras to victory. Highland Kismet finished second, beaten by a length; Amazing Catch (Dexter Dunn) rode the pegs from post 10 to finish third over Sig Sauer (Andy McCarthy).

A full story will follow.