State-Bred Finals And Takter Troup On Tap

More sires stakes present Hambletonian Trail rollers this coming weekend, including New Jersey Sires Stakes (NJSS) finals at the Meadowlands for both trotting divisions. Also, a few hopefuls set sail in condition events on the NJSS finals program. Other, lucrative Pennsylvania Sires Stakes (PASS) splits for colts go at the Meadows.

The Meadows presents the colts on May 29’s afternoon program. In the first PASS split, worth $63,739, only one colt is not qualified for the Hambletonian. Of the others, it is difficult to measure one from the other. Of course, Jimmy Takter’s Uncle Lassee, one for one, will attract bettors due to the brand and the bankroll, however that is not enough yet to toss the other five out. We have been on Cruzado Dela Noche from the end of his frosh season and we think Nancy Johansson (Takter’s daughter) could have a colt here that may peak just before the big dance. Although he has some tough challenges along the way, this mile may be a sharp one and could offer a decent win mutual.

Another $63,739 is up for sharing in round two for seven, with a two entries not Hambo bound. As well, another Takter trotter sails in his second start of the year after a win. The Bank will get a large deposit in the win pools from the public, even with five-for-six local Chef Lee holding the raw numbers. (Takter also has Walter White.)

Still of interest and certainly ready to pay generously for a win is Divisionist. He has had a few rough miles as excuses and is still getting his sophomore form in shape. Local Charlie Norris is truly aiming for a spot in August with this one and you can’t count him out for the long haul or for this mile.

Seven are also offered shares of $63,739 in the last of the three PASS colt adventures. Two of them are team-Takter mates. Looking beyond that pair, Pinkman and Whom Shall I Fear, this may be a good time to back Boots N Chains, who sans the Takterites [sic] would easily be the favorite.

Saturday, May 30, NJSS colts and fillies each compete in their series finals for $100,000 each. After two legs, the fields for both divisions deliver the season’s best sophs so far. Nine go in the filly trot final with all eyes, once again, on Mission Brief.

She is the sometimes-unruly gal that could easily dominate the division if she behaves. So far, so good and in this, only her second start of the soph season, there is no reason to believe she cannot handle the other eight if she makes no mistake.

The other sharp gal now is Rules Of The Road, who will follow “Mission” in favoritism. Then, Riley’s Dream should be the third choice. We still think Southwind Cartier is better than her support and that she will stun the toteboard before long but here she needs too much luck to win. She could lift an exacta to the sky if second to Mission and will make any triple worth it with any and all mentioned, so add her in exotics for price and key Mission.

The colts’ field has only seven but they are all Hambletonian hopefuls and well-matched foes. Guess Whos Back has been impressive so far and should take favorite status here and the only other winner, Takter’s French Laundry, will follow. Takter also has Canepa Hanover and Ake Svanstedt has a pair with Crescent Fashion and Southwind Mozart. But Aldebaran Eagle is sitting on a win and could take advantage of the top two with a sharp trip for trainer Jonas Czernyson. Certainly the price will make the grade.

The first two races on the Meadowlands program features some hopefuls in conditioned miles. Four colts looking at August go in Race 1—Uncle Hanover, Dapper Don, Apostles Creed and Mountain Top.

Apostles Creed gets the 8 hole but certainly demands respect here, the kind that will offer a price. He’s been with better but the crowd may not support his still-fertile shot at August stardom.

Race 2 has a bunch of fillies that have yet to see the likes of the only “Oaks”-eligible in this field, Magic Marker. Leaving from the outside, she may be disregarded enough to become a fine wager here and a good key for exotics.

The racing of classic divisions—soph-colt-and-filly trotters—on their quest to the Hambletonian and “Oaks” finals continues its exclusive, extended coverage from TwinSpires and the Hambletonian Society.

Recaps of races covered in this blog can be found at the archive section of the web’s home for the Hambletonian Society.