Antonacci's first training victory comes with assist from Standardbred world

Philip Antonacci registered the first victory of his training career Saturday, sending out Advanced Strategy to capture a one-mile allowance race on the turf. Advanced Strategy is owned by his father Frank’s Lindy Farms, which is best known in the Standardbred community for having been the owner or breeder of five Hambletonian winners.

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The younger Antonacci, 26, is stabled at Payson Park with 15 horses. He is teaming up with retired Harness Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter, who has ventured into the Thoroughbred world to assist Antonacci. Advanced Strategy was the team’s fifth starter.

“He’s like the D. Wayne Lukas of Standardbred racing,” Antonacci said. “He retired three years ago. He always had an interest in Thoroughbreds, so when I decided to go on my own, he said he’d like to come along and help and assist. We can put our minds together and come up with our own training plan. He’s been at the barn quite a bit. It’s been a great team effort.”