Jimmy Takter and Yannick Gingras will team up to go for their unprecedented fourth straight Hambletonian Oaks on Saturday with morning line favourite Ariana G. The duo tuned up Friday night by partnering to win the $50,000 Townsend Ackerman with 7-5 wagering choice Sir John F in a lifetime-best 1:53.4.
Gingras, who won four races on the card, steered the Donato Hanover colt to a textbook second-over trip while Snowstorm Hanover cut out the fractions of :27.1, :56.3, and 1:25.3. In deep stretch, Sir John F struck the front while longshots Simply Volo and Thisguyisonfire gave chase.
Sir John F hung on with a :28.1 final quarter-mile to score his fourth lifetime victory and raised his career bankroll to $108,242 for owners Christina Takter, John & Jim Fielding, R A W Equine, and Kevin McKinlay.
In the $30,000 Duenna, Evelyn was aggressively moved to the front by Andy Miller. The Muscle Hill filly, who finished sixth in her Oaks elimination last week, held off the pocket-sitting Decadence (Corey Callahan) to win in 1:52.3. It was her first win of 2017 in eight starts and third lifetime. She has earned $124,666 for trainer Ake Svanstedt, who shares ownership with Little E LLC, Borje Nasstrom, and Silva Stable 45.
The ladies starred in two divisions of the Hambletonian Amateur Drivers as Sarah Svanstedt and Hannah Miller scored wins with Real DJ Hanover and Danish Durango, respectively.
Total handle on the 12-race card was $2,629,799.
Hambletonian Day is Saturday with a 16-race stakes-filled card beginning at 12 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m. The Hambletonian, Hambletonian Oaks, and Sam McKee Memorial will be broadcast during a 90-minute live telecast on CBS Sports Network beginning at 4 p.m.
(Meadowlands Racetrack)