Ittakestwobaby gives Anderson a stakes

Ittakestwobaby, named for trainer David Anderson's twin grandsons Jonah and Jackson, gave the trainer his first stakes winner of the season last Saturday and established the 3-year-old as a top contender for divisional honors this year in Nebraska.

Ittakestwobaby is a Nebraska-bred son of Dazzling Falls and is the second foal to race and win for his dam, Rancho Gal. A homebred owned by Anderson, Ittakestwobaby won his maiden against stakes company in his career debut last year at Lincoln, taking the State Fair Futurity by a widening three lengths.

With Anderson's grandsons watching via simulcast from The Woodlands in Kansas City, Kan., Anderson waved to them in a postrace interview televised from the winner's circle.

"This colt has a lot of ability," Anderson said.

Ittakestwobaby had the tricky task of breaking from the inside post going a half-mile. "I'm glad he was able to overcome it," Anderson said.

Anderson sent out six winners over the weekend and pulled to within one of Milt Gaede in the trainer standings as the meet reaches its midway point this weekend. Gaede has been saddling winners at a 50 percent clip, scoring with 16 of 32 starters.

Yuri Yaranga moved into a tie with Beth Butler at 19 wins each in the rider standings. Damon Leeds, the winning rider aboard Ittakestwobaby, is third with 14, but will sit out a three-day suspension this weekend.