by Amy Silver, publicity director, Meadowlands Racetrack

East Rutherford, NJ — Although he is known as a trotting master, trainer Jimmy Takter sent out a trio of young pacers to victory as Meadowlands Racetrack’s fall stakes series kicked off Friday night.

Lisa photo

Driven by Yannick Gingras, High Noon assumed command before the half and flew home in a 26.4 final quarter to post his third career win in 1:53.3.

Takter swept two of the three $15,000 divisions of the No No Yankee for 2-year-old colts with High Noon and Rockstar Temper. High Noon crushed his foes in the eighth race division. Driven by Yannick Gingras, High Noon assumed command before the half and flew home in a 26.4 final quarter to post his third career win in 1:53.3. A son of Western Ideal-Dinah Classic, High Noon was a $57,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington-Selected Sale by Takter’s wife, Christina, John Fielding, Falkbolagen Ab and Riverview Farms.

Rockstar Temper, also driven by Gingras, made a bid on the final turn and drew off to win the sixth race in 1:53.3. The son of Rocknroll Hanover-Dragon Temper improved his record to three wins in 11 starts. He was a modest $8,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington-Selected Sale by Takter and Fielding.

The Takter-trained Capri Hanover took one of three $15,000 Savilla Lobell divisions for 2-year-old fillies on the card. Sent off the 2-5 favorite, Capri Hanover coasted to victory in 1:54.3 under the guidance of driver Tim Tetrick. Capri Hanover has now won three of her 10 career starts. Brittany Farms purchased the daughter of Western Ideal-Cindy B for $40,000 as a yearling at the Lexington-Selected Sale.

Nutmegs Cider (1:54.3) and Whats New Pussycat (1:56.1) also scored victories in the opening leg of the Savilla Lobell, while Sectionline Barack (1:55.1) upset the field in the first of the No No Yankee divisions.

The Paul Doherty Memorial for 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings also shared the spotlight Friday evening. Rees’s Racer, a 60-1 shot, surged late to win the first $15,000 split in 1:56.1 for driver David Miller and trainer Virgil Morgan. The son of Jailhouse Jesse-Eastern Spur paid $135 as he posted his eighth win in 20 career starts.

KR Leasing’s Westside Lindy lit up the tote board in the second division at 30-1. The gelding, driven to victory by Tim Tetrick, paid $65. Frank Antonacci trains the son of SJ’s Caviar-Benedicta Jet.