There are no do-overs in harness racing. Major stakes races come and they go, and, no matter how the result was reached, the winner forever holds the trophy and distinction while the losers wish for another day that never comes. When Karl captured the 2024 Hambletonian it was destiny for driver Yannick Gingras, the Hall of Famer who had been denied before but wouldn't be with the favorite last August. Trainer Nancy Takter again accomplished what she set out to do, expertly choreographing a schedule with the expectations realized on the first Saturday in August over the Meadowlands mile surface. That an intense downpour marred the event for some, it only added to the visual spectacle and shook the running of the race in such a manner that it appeared on the final turn as if the favorite was in danger of not getting the job done and the race was open to any that could navigate the long stretch and the potential traffic. There were twists and turns in the stretch, room for some but not for others. For the talented but vastly-inexperienced Highland Kismet, there was a lead in mid-stretch that for a short period appeared to have him likely to post the upset. A grueling two-move effort put him on the precipice of capturing the sport's biggest race. Whether he was waiting on competition or totally exhausted from the journey is of little consequence today as the final sixteenth and a determined Karl made Highland Kismet forever a bridesmaid in the 2024 Hambletonian. Then there was the 41-1 shot Amazing Catch, with Dexter Dunn trying to take the shortest route possible to an upset, only to fall short in the final strides and settling for third. While there are no do-overs, the chance the top three finishers in the 2024 Hambletonian will get to meet again – perhaps as a co-feature on the afternoon of the 100th Hambletonian, specifically August 2 – is a possibility should Karl, Highland Kismet and Amazing Catch be in alignment and advanced far enough in the 4-year-old careers to take on older foes in the John Cashman Memorial. Currently, trainer Nancy Takter has suggested that Karl, unlike the other two, has just started training back and could make his debut in August if he stays on schedule. Chances are strong, however, that Highland Kismet and Amazing Catch are likely to see action in the coming Graduate Series for 4-year-olds, as well as the rich Hambletonian Maturity (July 12). Trainer Mark Etsell has qualified Highland Kismet twice thus far at Woodbine Mohawk Park, with his latest 1:53 4/5 effort on May 9 a solid mile that has him ready for his 4-year-old debut. "I will look to get him a race here (Woodbine Mohawk Park) in the next couple of weeks and then go with the 4-year-olds in the first leg of the Graduate," Etsell said. "I could have gone with him to the Cutler (May 17) but I thought it was too early with the ship to the Meadowlands and racing against older horses, and I didn't want to rush into that," Etsell said. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Etsell got Highland Kismet to train following his 2-year-old season and did an outstanding job, going from non-winners of 1 at the outset of his 3-year-old campaign to a chance to capture the $1 million Hambletonian in only a few short months. Highland Kismet, an altered son of Father Patrick, showed extreme speed from the start but was not always the easiest on himself or his driver within a race. For a period in 2024 he wore trotting hopples, and then there was the sense he didn't need them. Inevitably, hopples would return, but the rigors of racing and working out favorable trips led to a series of late-season mishaps and missteps. In the end Highland Kismet had a great year for any horse that didn't race as a 2-year-old trotting in North America and then would be among the top five in the sophomore class. At the same time, Highland Kismet would tease racing fans and his connections with impressive miles while prepping for major races only to be followed by disappointments when the big money was riding. Such was the case when he followed up wins in the Simcoe and Canadian Trotting Classic elimination with a break in stride in the rich Canadian Trotting Classic finale. In Lexington he survived a rain-soaked surface to dominate in the Bluegrass Stakes, and, a week later as the favorite in the $500,000 Kentucky Futurity, got embroiled in speed duel that saw him reach the half on the lead in a shocking 52 4/5. The Futurity ended with an eighth-place finish but likely took enough out of Highland Kismet to never allow him to regain the form he held coming into the Hambletonian. "It took him about five hours to recover from that race," said Etsell of the Futurity. Recovery for the trainer took much longer. The Futurity led to a driver change, but Hall of Famer Tim Tetrick couldn't turn things around, driving Highland Kismet on just three occasions, with the gelding breaking in two of those stakes events. While Highland Kismet looked great in both of his qualifiers, Etsell still has some unsettled business to attend to before his stable star embarks on what he hopes will be a more consistent season. "Right now, we have to find a driver," said Etsell, who was meeting with owner Mary Clark to discuss the options. "Ideally I'd like to have someone that can stick with him." With the May 31 Graduate around the corner, Etsell is likely to keep the trotting hopples on. Highland Kismet's first qualifier was without hopples, but with races expected to go faster Etsell wanted his horse to be more manageable when tested. Should harness fans expect a different Highland Kismet in 2024? "He's grown a bit, but he was a big horse last year," Etsell said. As for the mental aspect of racing, Etsell was more on the fence. "I guess we all get a little smarter as we get older." Like Highland Kismet, Amazing Catch spent much of his 3-year-old campaign around the winner's circle but not in it. He did win the Canadian Trotting Classic but was second in the Kentucky Futurity and third in the Breeders Crown. Amazing Catch was purchased by Greg Luther Racing late last year but remains in the Ake Svanstedt stable where he qualified for the first time on May 2 at the Meadowlands. Highland Kismet was the first foal from the Muscle Hill-sired Highland Top Hill. Etsell took over the training of his 3-year-old sister Highlandstarburst and expects to have her ready to race soon. The third foal is a Greenshoe-sired 2-year-old colt by the name of Highland Destiny. "I don't know if he's got the ability of Highland Kismet," said Etsell when asked about the juvenile. "We've staked him to the races up here - the Wellwood and the Breeders Crown." It will be interesting to see whether Highland Kismet will be able to take the next step as a 4-year-old and reach the level his connections had anticipated during his sophomore season. "I'm confident he'll race well against the 4-year-olds," Etsell said. Highland Kismet may not be able to rewrite the 2024 record books, but he'll have the opportunity to perhaps prove if he's the best 4-year-old from that crop against some of the best to return in years.