Jimmy Takter enters the Hambletonian with a triple threat in Muscle Massive, Hard Livin and On The Tab. Although none won an elimination race

last weekend, thereby ensuring a favourable starting spot, Takter likes his chances in Saturday’s $1.5 million event at Meadowlands Racetrack.

Muscle Massive and Hard Livin finished second and third, respectively, in the first of the three Hambletonian eliminations July 31. The race was won by Pilgrims Taj, by a half length over both Takter horses, in 1:53.3.

On The Tab, who won the first jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown – the Yonkers Trot – in July, was fourth in the elim won by Cassis and advanced to the final on the basis of lifetime earnings.

“I wish I had one [elimination] winner so I could get to pick a post, but it’s a wide open field,” Takter said. “I don’t think there is a really outstanding horse in this field. It’s going to be a heck of a Hambletonian. A lot of guys are going home and I’ve got horses I think have a genuine chance to be on the board. Hopefully, one will be on top.”

Takter was uncharacteristically absent from the last two Hambletonian finals, although last year he did have the second-place finisher (Vintage Master) in the Meadowlands’ other million-dollar race – the Meadowlands Pace. Takter won the Hambletonian with Malabar Man in 1997 and had at least one starter in the finals for seven consecutive years, 2001 through 2007.

Although absent from the Hambletonian, Takter’s stable thrived. He won a career-best $6.2 million in 2009 and he ranked third in North American earnings despite having fewer starts than any other trainer in the Top 10. He had 10 different horses – six trotters and four pacers – win races of $100,000 or more, led by multiple stakes-winners Vintage Master and Costa Rica. He won Triple Crown races on both the trot (Judge Joe in the Yonkers Trot) and the pace (Vintage Master in the Cane Pace).

Takter’s best chance in this year’s Hambletonian might be with Muscle Massive, who won the New Jersey Sire Stakes Championship and a division of the Stanley Dancer Memorial. He was second to Holiday Road in the Historic-Dickerson Cup.

In his elimination, Muscle Massive was first over and Pilgrims Taj benefited from a trip behind him.

“I kind of played my cards wrong,” driver Ron Pierce said. “He felt really good, though, and considering the trip it was a good effort. I think he’ll be a lot better next week.”

Takter agreed.

“I thought [Muscle Massive] raced good,” he said. “He’s had a little injury I’ve been working on for two weeks now. I thought he tied up, but he didn’t; he pulled a muscle. I don’t know how he did it, but I think we have it under control. Ronnie was very happy; he trotted very good. That was the main concern, to make the final. I’ve got a week here now to fine tune him for the big one.”

Hard Livin is a multiple stakes winner and was second to Pilgrims Taj in last year’s Pennsylvania Sire Stakes Championship. On The Tab has one victory this season, in the Yonkers Trot, and has hit the board in eight of 10 starts. The Hambletonian is the second jewel in the Trotting Triple Crown; On The Tab will attempt to be the first horse to win both those races since Glidemaster claimed the Crown in 2006.

“On The Tab was a little bit hikey in the turns. I’ve got to work on him a little bit,” Takter said. “Hard Livin I thought raced great. He’s one in the group.

“I thought Lucky Chucky was maybe the one that looked best, and Ray’s horse [Cassis] raced good. But it’s open game.”

Takter’s game is not limited to the Hambletonian. He also has two-year-old colt trotters Leader Of The Gang and Pastor Stephen in Saturday’s $523,000 Peter Haughton Memorial and two-year-old filly trotter Thatsnotmyname in the $525,000 Merrie Annabelle. All three horses won their respective eliminations.

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This story courtesy of Harness Racing Communications, a division of the U.S. Trotting Association. For more information, visit www.ustrotting.com.