Takter, Palone Double In Currier & Ives

Published: June 8, 2013 12:07 am EDT

Dontyouforgetit and Bluto gave the team of Jimmy Takter and Dave Palone a pair of victories in Friday’s $134,426 Currier & Ives at The Meadows.

Longshot Its Complicated took the other division of the stake for three-year-old colt and gelding trotters.

Dontyouforgetit banked $337,837 at two, but was winless in his first two outings this year and sent off at 7-1 as a result. But he was sharp and impressive in the Currier & Ives, even after his hunt for early position got him only a seat sixth. That forced him to move first over, a tough trip he converted to victory in 1:54.4, a lifetime-best clocking. The rallying Dewycolorintheline was second, a neck back, with Maxamillus third.

“We got jammed up a little in the first turn, and I had to get him settled,” Palone said. “The fractions played into my hands. They were going an honest clip. This little colt loves to pass horses. He just dropped his head and took off.”

Solveig’s Racing Partners own Dontyouforgetit, a son of Cantab Hall out of Solveig who soared over $400,000 in career earnings.

Bluto also moved first over to victory, prevailing by half a length over Vibe Blue Chip in 1:55.4. Banco Solo earned show in his first start of the year.

“Speed hadn’t been holding up, so I was glad to sit in for the first half,” Palone said. ”When I cleared, I think that was the whole key because Vibe Blue Chip was stuck out in the turn, working. That was the difference. I needed the wire.”

Christina Takter, John Fielding, Louis Camara and Jim Fielding campaign Bluto, a son of Donato Hanover out of Blur.

The headstrong Its Complicated provided the biggest Currier & Ives surprise when, at 10-1, he reeled off a front-end victory for Eric Ledford, trainer Kris Hite and Hatfield Stables. Tigresss Legacy, who raced outside for much of the mile, was half a length back in second while High Bridge, the 1-5 favourite who could have given Takter and Palone a sweep, was rough gaited in the lane and settled for show.

“I just got him before he qualified this year,” Hite said of the SJs Caviar-Before The Rain gelding. “He has some soreness issues up front, but he’s a game little horse. I’ve sat him in a hole training and he’s okay. They taught him early to leave the gate, but he’s pretty manageable once you get him off the gate — maybe not today.”

Palone drove four winners on the 15-race card while Ledford and Brett Miller each enjoyed a triple.

(With files from The Meadows)

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