Trainer Jimmy Takter sends out one each in the World Trotting Derby colt and filly divisions on Saturday at Illinois' DuQuoin State Fairgrounds. On the distaff side, Takter will drive Lantern Kronos, runner-up in the Hambletonian Oaks on August 2 and winner of the August 23 American National Stakes at Balmoral Park.

In that race, Lantern Kronos, turned in a :27.1 last quarter despite racing on the outside most of the mile and six lengths back at the half.

"She's just raced tremendous," Takter told Harness Racing Communications. "She's been a very good horse all year and in that one, she was as good as she's been all year, I think."

Takter credits emotional maturation for Lantern Kronos' stout performance from the filly who's won three of her last four starts, save the Oaks, where she was second despite being three wide and in seventh place at the three quarters.

"I would say she's getting more confident in herself. She's still young, she didn't have all that many starts [six as a two year-old], she's coming along, I'm very proud of her. She had a lot of ability as a two year-old, but she's getting more confident."

Lantern Kronos is holding her physical condition past the mid point of the season, says Takter. "Actually, she's alright. She's never been a heavy horse. She's the kind of horse you have to watch all the time, make sure she gets the right nutrition all the time. It's not like she's gaining weight this time of year, but she's good."

Lantern Kronos is due in to the fairgrounds mid afternoon today with her stablemate, In Focus, who's coming in to the Trotting Derby off a fourth-place finish in the $500,000 Colonial. He led at every post until the top of the stretch, fading ten lengths before the finish.

"I was a little disappointed in his start in the Colonial," says Takter. "I think he went a little too fast to the third quarter [1:24.2]. He might have hurt himself. He got a little bit tired at the end, last 16th of a mile. But I think he's going to like DuQuoin. It's the kind of track with not so much dirt flying.

"When someone comes at him, he really wants to go and he has some problems around the turns, but DuQuoin is a different kind of track."

(HRC)