Takter and Alagna Both Triple At Big M

By Dave Little, Meadowlands Media Relations

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Trainers Jimmy Takter and Tony Alagna had the hot horses Friday night at the Meadowlands, as each conditioner sent three pupils apiece to the winner’s circle.

Takter swept the Early Daily Double not only as trainer, but driver as well.

Susy took a division of the Kindergarten Classic for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:55.1. The 2-5 favorite is a daughter of Father Patrick. Tactical Landing, the 1-2 public choice, completed a $4, all-Takter double in a non-winners of two event. The Hambletonian hopeful, a son of Muscle Hill, hit the wire in 1:52.3.

Takter’s three-bagger was complete after 1-9 choice Beautiful Sin won a Kindergarten for 2-year-old trotting fillies in 1:55.1 in the sixth race. The daughter of Muscle Hill made it two wins in as many parimutuel starts.

Alagna sent out a pair of winners in the Kindergarten for 2-year-old colts and geldings on the pace. The first was in race five, when Major Deception (a Captaintreacherous colt) scored in 1:53.3 as the 3-5 favorite. The other was with Captain Ahab (another Captaintreacherous colt), who scored as the 4-5 choice in a sizzling 1:51.1 in race nine.

Tony’s trifecta was capped in the 11th race when 5-1 chance (the longest shot of the night) Key West scored in a Kindergarten for 2-year-old pacing fillies in a remarkable 1:51.1. Making her second career start, the daughter of Captaintreacherous paced her final quarter in :25.4.

A LITTLE MORE: Tim Tetrick drove three winners on the card, while Takter, Yannick Gingras and Andy McCarthy had two apiece. … Marcus Melander trained a pair of winners on the program. … Seven favorites scored on the 11-race card, with the longest two prices of the night (5-2 and 5-1) coming in the last two races to create a Late Double that came back $68.00. … The Pick-4 pool $100,000 streak ended at four, but betting was still brisk at $90,497. … Total handle on the card was $1,978,174. … Racing resumes at the Big M Saturday with a special post time of 8 p.m.