by Ashley Mayotte, WEG communications
Campbellville, ON — What do American Jewel, Romantic Moment, Another Hanover, Yummy Sushi and Azorean Night have in common? All five freshman pacing fillies will compete in the She’s A Great Lady eliminations on Saturday (August 27) at Mohawk Racetrack for trainer Jimmy Takter.
Takter swept both divisions of the Eternal Camnation Stakes last Saturday at the Campbellville oval with American Jewel and Romantic Moment and he will be looking to sweep both She’s A Great Lady eliminations.
But the East Windsor, N.J., resident admits one of his trainees stands out from the crowd. He believes American Jewel, who is undefeated in four lifetime starts with a 1:51 speed badge, is the filly to beat, especially after an impressive comeback performance in her Eternal Camnation division.
“She made a break last time and I didn’t like that, but she was able to recover and win anyway, which is almost unheard of today,” he said. “She is a very strong horse. She’s got good lungs and doesn’t seem to tire that easy. She is a special girl.”
When it comes to American Jewel, Takter isn’t worried about his competition as he thinks highly of his gem.
“I think she is the best (2-year-old) pacing filly in the (U.S.) right now, but things like that can change. It’s tough out there. They have to stay healthy and sound.”
The homebred daughter of American Ideal-Trim Hanover boasts earnings of $107,711 for owner/breeder Brittany Farms of Versailles, Ky.
The veteran conditioner has also been impressed with Romantic Moment’s efforts and feels his 2-year-old will only improve.
“She is definitely an up and coming horse,” Takter noted. “She’s been racing better and better. She’s got high speed and is definitely a horse that belongs in that class.”
After notching her first lifetime victory in her Eternal Camnation division, Romantic Moment has a record of 1-1-1 in three starts and $85,918 in career earnings. The daughter of American Ideal-Time N Again is also owned by Brittany Farms.
And what about his three other freshman students?
“Another Hanover is a very good horse,” Takter said. “I have always liked her a lot and unfortunately she’s battled sickness for a while, but she seems like she is coming around. She was second at Pocono and raced good against older horses. I expect her to do a pretty decent mile.
“Yummy Sushi is a really nice filly,” he added. “She was in the Sweetheart and unfortunately made a bloop in the first turn, but raced really good in the elimination.
“Azorean Night is a horse that just keeps on getting better. She has a couple seconds in a row and is definitely a horse to watch too,” Takter concluded.
American Jewel, from post two and Yummy Sushi, from post three, will contest the first C$35,000 elimination in Saturday’s third race. In the second elimination slated for the eighth race, Another Hanover, Romantic Moment and Azorean Night will leave from post one, three and five, respectively.
The top five fillies from each division will advance to the C$633,000 final on Saturday, September 3. The elimination winners can choose their post position for the final.
First race post time is 7:10 p.m.
Following are the She’s A Great Lady elimination fields in post position order, with listed drivers and trainers.
Elim One: 1. Big Mcdeal, J. Jamieson, J. Darling; 2. American Jewel, T. Tetrick, J. Takter; 3. Yummy Sushi, R. Pierce, Takter; 4. Apogee Hanover, D. Miller, E. Miller; 5. Red Shadow, S. Zeron, T. O’Sullivan; 6. Rockaround Sue, B. Sears, T. Alagna; 7. Economy Terror, B. Sears, C. Oakes; 8. Angel Scent, P. MacDonell, B. Wallace.
Elim Two: 1. Another Hanover, TBA, J. Takter; 2. Pirouette Hanover, T. Tetrick, E. Hart; 3. Romantic Moment, T. Tetrick, Takter; 4. Major Look, J. Jamieson, R. Riddle; 5. Azorean Night, TBA, Takter; 6. Notreadytobenice, Y. Gingras, J. Holloway; 7. Shelliscape, Ra. Waples, R. McIntosh; 8. Podges Lady, B. Sears, J. Seekman; 9. Bound To Rock, S. Zeron, T. O’Sullivan.