by Kimberly French, USTA Web Newsroom Senior Correspondent

Kimberly French

Louisville, KY — This year’s group of 2-year-old trotting fillies has been nothing short of spectacular and may very well be the swiftest of all time. In fact, Cooler Schooner already holds that distinction, but Shake It Cerry’s 1:53.3 track record performance in the $321,700 Merrie Annabelle and her $500,000 Breeders Crown triumph place her at the top of an extremely talented class.

“Ron Pierce said she was the best 2-year-old filly he’s ever sat behind and he’s driven a lot of outstanding horses,” said the filly’s conditioner, Jimmy Takter. “I agree with him and think she is the best 2-year-old filly I have ever been associated with.”

That speaks volumes coming from a man many consider to be a master with trotters and that has been in charge of some of the greatest of this gait to every compete in the sport. Takter’s name was on the program when Shake It Cerry’s dam, Solveig, made nearly $600,000 in her freshman season and she was second in the Breeders Crown and Matron.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Shake It Cerry has won six times in her freshman campaign with earnings of $529,644.

Shake It Cerry, a daughter of Donato Hanover owned by Solveig’s Racing Partners, will attempt to once again do something her mother was unable to achieve and capture the $140,100 Matron Stake on Sunday (Nov. 17) at Dover Downs.

The heavy morning line favorite at 2-5, Shake It Cerry will leave from the rail with Pierce once again holding the reins in the ninth race on the card. Her main rivals will be Struck By Lindy and Scream And Shout. Those fillies, however, leave from the eight and seven holes, respectively, so it will be interesting to see who gives Shake It Cerry a run for her money.

“She is doing well right now,” Takter said. “She always has since we started training her and we had expectations of her right away because I also trained her sibling (Dontyouforgetit, Cantab Hall, 3,1:52.1f, $586,769).”

This filly commenced her career on July 5 at Pocono Downs with a sharp win in a $30,000 PA All Stars contest, then followed up with two more victories in a $51,716 Pennsylvania Sire Stake at The Meadows on July 17 and her track record performance in the Merrie Annabelle.

Her first defeat was at the hands of Cooler Schooner in that world record 1:51.3 mile on August 21 and after traveling to Canada she experienced the only off the board finish of her career in her $28,500 Peaceful Way elimination at Mohawk on Sept. 5.

She rebounded with a second place finish in Designed To Be’s 1:52.2 world record mile at The Red Mile on Sept. 26 in a $96,200 Bluegrass Stake division. She was hampered by the nine hole, but was flying to the wire with a last quarter in :27.4.

After Lexington, Shake It Cerry headed back to Pocono for her Breeders Crown elimination on Oct. 11. She scored a 1:54.1 victory that evening and has not lost since. Her streak includes the Breeders Crown final and a Matron Preview just last week.

Her record now stands at 9-6-2-0 with $529,644 in the bank.

“She wasn’t herself that night for the Peaceful Way,” Takter said. “And Ron Pierce said the other times she lost she would have won if he got into her sooner.”

Obviously Shake It Cerry has a lot going for her such as a Hall of Fame trainer who is quite familiar with her family tree, an exceptional pedigree and nice stride, but the main reason for her success is undoubtedly her mind. Mentally this filly is tough and really loathes to lose.

“Ron has always said she is terrific to drive because she is so intelligent,” Takter said. “You can do just about anything you want with her and she has always been that way. She won’t run off and you can place her wherever you want. I think she will only improve as she gets older even though she is already so good. Especially for a 2-year-old filly. They can be tough.”

After contesting this weekend’s race, we may see more of Shake It Cerry before she turns three on New Year’s Day.

“We are looking at the Goldsmith Maid, but of course that depends on how she comes out of this,” Takter said. “We plan on following the same type of schedule next year and are extremely pleased with what she has already accomplished this year.”

Here is the field for the $140,100 Matron fnal for 2-year-old filly trotters on Sunday at Dover Downs.

PP-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Line
1-Shake It Cerry-Ron Pierce-Jimmy Takter-2-5
2-Ruby-Yannick Gingras-Nancy Johansson-12-1
3-Scully Sas-Corey Callahan-Jonas Czernyson-15-1
4-Noon Tea Party-Andy Miller-Paul Fusco-10-1
5-Silent Opera K-Simon Allard-Paul Reid-15-1
6-Fashion Huntress-John Campbell-Jim Campbell-20-1
7-Scream And Shout-Tim Tetrick-Jimmy Takter-12-1
8-Struck By Lindy-David Miller-Nifty Norman-10-1