Karl rallies, Takter repeats in Hambletonian

Karl won the $1,050,000 Hambletonian on Saturday (Aug. 3) at the Meadowlands as trainer Nancy Takter continued a family tradition and Hall of Fame driver Yannick Gingras scored his first win in the trotting classic.

Contested in a driving rainstorm, Karl closed resolutely to beat Highland Kismet by a length as the 3-5 favorite. No one in the winner’s circle seemed to mind the raindrops falling on their heads.

Takter, a part owner of the 3-year-old colt, became the first trainer to win consecutive Hambletonians since her Hall of Fame father, Jimmy Takter, in 2014 and 2015. She was only the third female trainer to win the Hambletonian when Tactical Approach finished first last year.

“I was definitely a lot prettier in the winner’s circle last year, and a lot drier” said a thoroughly-drenched Takter. “He’s just an amazing horse.”

The other female trainers who have won Hambletonians in the sport’s 99-year history are Paula Wellwood, with Marion Marauder in 2016; and Linda Toscano, with Market Share in 2012.

“I don’t think I’ve screamed so much in my entire life as I did the last eighth of that mile,” Takter said. “It was really exciting, and I’m extremely proud of the horse and the entire team. I’m happy for Yannick for his first Hambletonian.”

For Gingras, it was the end of a lengthy quest. He was winless in 11 previous Hambletonian finals, finishing second three times. Perhaps the most excruciating loss was the defeat by a nose to Triple Crown winner Marion Marauder in 2016.

Gingras was extremely emotional, twirling his whip in a victory salute roughly 50 yards from the finish line.

“It means so much,” said Gingras who drove his 9,000th career winner earlier this week. “Especially for my kids. As they got older, I saw the disappointment in their faces every year. They’re not disappointed that I’m not winning. They’re disappointed for me because they know how much it means.”

It means everything, especially when it finally happens.

Karl was away sixth in the early stages before tracking Highland Kismet into the outer flow down the backstretch. Karl needed several strides in the sloppy stretch before kicking into high gear to claim the trophy.

“Highland Kismet kept clear for a little bit but I just had to wait for a couple of strides,” Gingras said. “It was tight quarters. I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. I just figured an eighth of a mile was enough to show what a champion he was.”

The time was 1:51.3 for the mile.

Karl, last season’s Dan Patch Award winner, paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.20. Highland Kismet returned $4.00 and $4.00.  Amazing Catch paid $9.60 to show after surviving a judges’ inquiry that determined he was not guilty of a penalty for racing inside the pylons.