Harness: Nancy Takter unanimous choice for USHWA Trainer of the Year

Nancy Takter was voted 2020 Trainer of the Year by the United States Harness Writers Association (USHWA) -- and her year was so spectacular, the decision to have her receive the award did not even have to go to a vote. How? There are twelve chapters in USHWA and an At-Large gathering -- and Nancy was nominated for top trainer by all 13 of these groups, meaning that the award was decided at the end of the nomination process -- there literally were no other candidates brought forth by the communicators.

With over $8 million won by her trainees, 31% victories and a UTR of .442, the horses in Nancy's stable seemed to almost never miss in the big events. The leader of the barn was Tall Dark Stranger, a 3-year-old pacing colt who is a prime candidate for Horse of the Year honors off of a year where he won 11 of 13 starts and earned $1,302,681, tops among all North American harness horses. The Meadowlands Pace, Cane Pace, North America Cup, and two Grand Circuit victories at Lexington all were taken by a horse who earned widespread praise from seasoned veterans for his fierce tenacity to hold on to the lead late when threatened with defeat.

Nancy also trained the great trotting mare Manchego, whose 1:49 3/5 victory at Plainridge, a 5/8-mile track, was not only the sole sub-1:50 trot of the year, but probably the most impressive trotting mile of all. There was also Kissin In The Sand, who capped her year with seven straight wins against the top older pacing mares including her Breeders Crown . . . and Hambletonian Oaks champion Sorella . . . and Governor's Cup winner Always A Miki . . . and the list could go on for several more lines.

When informed of her selection, Takter was pleased, but was quick to spread the credit around.

"It's a very big honor, and I think it's almost more of a Stable of the Year award, really, because I am nothing without my team. They executed the work, adjusted to the COVID circumstances, and never lost their focus.

"I knew coming into the year that we had good horses coming back, which makes my job easier, but then there were all of the adjustments we had to make. It wasn't always easy, but we never lost our sense of purpose. That was huge."

With a solid crew beside her, Nancy Takter had the kind of year in 2020 where it was more frequently heard "He's Nancy Takter's father," referring to the Hall of Famer Jimmy, five-time Trainer of the Year, rather than "She's Jimmy Takter's daughter."

-edited release (USHWA)