EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Karl won the $1,050,000 Hambletonian on Saturday 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.
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 2016 and Linda Toscano with Market Share 2012.
Only three trainers have won the race in consecutive years: the Takters and Per Eriksson in 1991 and 1992.
For Gingras, it was the end of a lengthy quest. He was winless in 11 previous Hambletonian finals, finishing second three times.
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 won his 9,000th career race 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.”
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 stretch to steady himself on the sloppy track before kicking into high gear to claim the trophy.
The winning time was 1:51 3/5 for the mile.
Karl posted his 15th win in 17 starts for the ownership team of Nancy Takter and her mother, Christina Takter, Black Horse Racing and Bender Sweden.
Karl paid $3.40, $2.40 and $2.20. Highland Kismet returned $4 and $4. Amazing Catch paid $9.60 to show after surviving a judge’s inquiry that determined he was not guilty of a penalty for racing inside the pylons.
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