Ruffles Kiss and Triomphe De Vie turned in the fastest times of their W.N. Reynolds Memorial divisions Tuesday night at Pocono Downs as Grand Circuit Week opened
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In the opening division of the Judge Moore W.N. Reynolds Memorial for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters it was Triomphe De Vie winning in 1:57.3 with Matt Kakaley in the sulky. Triomphe De Vie, coming off three qualifying wins for trainer Ron Burke, necked out Jimmy Takter and Up Up And Away at the wire. Buffalino Hanover, with Todd Schadel, was third, four lengths back.
Ruffles Kiss, trained and driven by Joe Pavia Jr., won the first division of the Leta Long W.N. Reynolds Memorial for three-year-old pacers. The prohibitive 1-5 favourite equaled her life mark by stopping the timer in 1:51.4. Hello Great Mate (Jim Morrill, Jr.) was second in this race, some three and one-half lengths back with Aspectofmusic (Eric Goodell) third.
Its De Lovely, trained by James Giorgianni and driven by Jeff Gregory, another 1-5 shot, won another division of the Leta Long for the three-year-old filly pacers. Time of the mile was 1:52.1. Sand Gesture (George Napolitano Jr.) was second to Its De Lovely with third-place going to Sugarcoated (Ray Schnittker).
The father-son team of Jimmy Takter and Jimmy Takter, Jr. both won divisions of the Judge Moore for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Father Jimmy piloted I Wish I Could Fly to a 1:58.2 victory in the second division. It was a wire-to-wire win from the five post. This was the first life start for the Glidemaster colt also trained by the elder Takter. Second in this race was Groom Hanover (Mike Lachance) with third-place going to Orlando (David Miller).
The 19-year-old Takter, Jr. won the third division and also beat his dad in this race with a very patient drive. Takter Jr. drove Pastor Stephen, a two-year-old Cantab Hall colt, who was a winner in 1:58.2. Pastor Hall, named after the Takter’s Allentown, NJ Presbyterian Church minister, necked out Del Cielo (Lachance) while Jimmy Takter was third with Not Nice.
It was only the second life start for young Takter, Jr., a provisionary driver.
“It’s a proud moment to see your boy doing well,” said the father in the winner’s circle. “He was very patient with the trotter and I like to see that.”
“It feels amazing,” said young Takter. “It’s great beating dad.” After which commented his father, “I think I’m going to get a bigger size helmet for him.”
David Miller gave Ride In Style a two-hole trip and came up the passing lane to win the final division for the young Reynolds trotters. Ride In Style edged Gordo Hall (Jimmy Takter) with the timer reading 1:58. Third in this race as Broad Bahn (Andrew McCarthy).
Alladorable, reined by Morrill, Jr., finished off the first night of Grand Circuit Week by winning the third division of the Leta Long in 1:52.4. A furious stretch run game Alladorable the victory in a driving finish with front runner All Heart Gal (Napolitano, Jr.). Kates Joy (Don Irvine, Jr.) was third.
(Pocono Downs)