by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — What looked like a duel between Father Patrick and Nuncio as the two favorites made their way around the final turn became a romp for Father Patrick as he captured the $280,500 Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters in 1:54.1 on Saturday at the Meadowlands.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Father Patrick was an easy 1:54.1 winner in the Peter Haughton Memorial for 2-year-old male trotters.

Father Patrick, the 7-5 favorite driven by Yannick Gingras for trainer Jimmy Takter, moved to the lead on the backstretch and forced Nuncio to race on the outside until the field passed the half-mile mark in :55.1 and headed into the final turn.

Nuncio, the 9-5 second choice driven by John Campbell, held the top spot around the turn, but Father Patrick overtook his rival as they moved into the stretch and pulled away for a 10 length victory. Southwind Spirit was third.

The time was one-fifth of a second off Holiday Road’s stakes record.

“It was a fast half, but I thought it was a two-horse race and I got the jump getting the lead first,” Gingras said. “I figured I’d take some of John’s power away by taking it to him a little bit. Then my horse responded and he won very, very easily.”

Father Patrick is named after the Rev. Patrick McDonnell, the pastor of St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in Hightstown, N.J., not far from Takter’s farm in East Windsor.

“The stable is in my parish and I’ve become friends with Jim and (his wife) Christina,” the Rev. McDonnell said. “It feels good to be in this environment. I go by the stable every day and I see Patrick and I whisper a few words in his ear.

“I’m not saying (if it’s a blessing),” he added with a laugh, “I’m just saying I whisper a couple of words in his ear.”

Father Patrick, a son of Cantab Hall out of the mare Gala Dream, is a full brother to millionaire trotter Pastor Stephen. He is owned by the Father Patrick Stable. He has won three of four starts this season, with his lone setback coming by a head to Nuncio on July 12.