"He’s a simple horse who does everything right. He raced hard last year, danced every dance and did well. He had a lot of bad luck with post positions. He could have made a lot more money."
Trainer Jimmy Takter has two colts in the top 10 of theTrot 2011 Pepsi North America Cup Spring Book, as Rocknroll Hanover colt Rollwithitharry came in just ahead of stablemate Great Vintage (#10, 26-1) with odds of 25-1. Trot Insider caught up with Takter for an update on the colt's time away from the track and early season plans.
Where did he winter?
“He wintered at Concord Stud Farm."
When did you start back with him?
“He started back in January."
Where are you at with him right now?
“He’s been in about 2:08."
Have you noticed any changes from last year to this year?
“He’s much less complicated than Great Vintage. He’s a simple horse who does everything right. He raced hard last year, danced every dance and did well ($232,330). He had a lot of bad luck with post positions. He could have made a lot more money. For instance, he had the ten hole in the Metro Final. He’s a prime time player.
“He’s also smallish like Great Vintage. Actually, I’d say he’s a medium size horse, but has a good heart and attitude."
When will he qualify?
“He’ll qualify around the end of April."
What will his schedule look like before and after the Pepsi NA Cup?
"I skipped the New Jersey Classic with him because Big Jim and those types will be very tough to face right away. I’m going to aim for the Art Rooney at Yonkers (eliminations on May 28). I’m going to manage him around the smaller tracks because of his size. He could be in the North America Cup."
Throughout the course of the week, the SC website will countdown to the Spring Book favourite, complete with updates from the trainers on the pacers that Trot staff assessed as the leading contenders for the richest prize in Canadian harness racing. Watch for the full list of Spring Book odds in the April issue of Trot Magazine.