by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications
East Rutherford, NJ — Weingartner and driver Johnny Takter found room off the final turn and moved from second on the rail to the lead down the stretch, pulling away to a 3-1/2 length win over Power Play in 1:55.2 in the $400,000 Peter Haughton Memorial on Saturday (August 6) at Meadowlands Racetrack.
USTA/Mark Hall photo
Weingartner defeated Power Play in 1:55.2 to win the Peter Haughton Memorial Saturday at Meadowlands.
Getting into the race from the also-eligible list, and sent off at odds of 28-1, Weingartner went to the lead from post eight and led the field to the quarter in :28.4. Favorite Power Play took over the top spot by the time the horses reached the half in :56.2.
Power Play kept the lead as the field reached three-quarters in 1:25.3 before Weingartner and Takter found racing room between Power Play and first-over Big Chocolate. Weingartner took the lead at the top of the stretch and pulled away from there. Power Play held second and Big Chocolate was third.
Weingartner is trained by Jimmy Takter for owners Christina Takter, John Fielding, Brixton Medical AB and Louie Camara. A son of Donato Hanover-Inspired Society, Weingartner has won two of five races this year. He is a half-brother to last season’s Breeders Crown 2-year-old filly champion Martiniontherocks.
“I watched him on tape before and I liked him and liked his gait,” said driver Johnny Takter. “He was a little anxious before the race but perfect in the race.
“Donato Hanover is a stallion that I followed quite a bit when he was racing and he got to breed quite a few good mares.
“It’s hard to compare the Elitlopp and the Prix d’Amerique to the races here in America, but they are equally good.”