Meadowlands: Always A Miki grabs Governor's Cup glory

Driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nancy Takter teamed up for their third major win together on Saturday night at the Meadowlands in the $371,900 Governor's Cup for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers with Always A Miki, who prevailed in a career-best 1:50 2/5.

Always A Miki, who landed in the pocket from post six on the first turn, moved to the point past Captain Sleaze (Marcus Miller) after a 26 3/5 opening quarter, but 1-2 choice and co-Breeders Crown winner Summa Cum Laude (Yannick Gingras) immediately challenged two-wide after Always A Miki took over, and he became the new pace-setter at the 54 3/5 half-mile station.

Summa Cum Laude then came under heavy attack from a first-over Abuckabett Hanover (Andrew McCarthy), and though he was able to resist his bid on the final turn, Summa Cum Laude had to go a 27 1/5 third quarter to do so, leaving him vulnerable to Always A Miki when he angled out and to a brush from a second-over Exploit (Joe Bongiorno). Always A Miki got first crack at Summa Cum Laude in the stretch and was able to get past him, but Metro champion Exploit loomed boldly to their outside. Always A Miki was determined, though, and was able to stay in front, bettering Exploit by half a length. Summa Cum Laude held third, with Captain Fancy (Dan Dube) fourth and Caviart Lotus (Tim Tetrick) fifth.

"He's a very small horse. There's not much to him, but he's shown all year that he's a true competitor," said Dunn. "You can get him out of the gate. We re-moved there at the quarter. Yannick came, and it worked out perfect. It was a solid three-quarters. That third quarter was pretty fast, and he was tagged on Yannick's helmet the whole trip. I knew he had something left if I could get him clear. It was a little tight at the finish. That's a pretty strong mile for these 2-year-olds, but he got the job done.

"He's been great really all season. He was the kind of horse getting towards Lexington that the other 2-year-olds were just a little bit stronger than him. We had to sort of look after him a little bit and duck and tuck and let him run home. He got checked a couple times, but really his last quarter has always been strong all season. He's had a great year."

A colt from the first crop of Always B Miki, Always A Miki is trained by Takter for owners Christina Takter, Goran Anderberg, Herb Liverman, and Rojan Stables. Always A Miki, who was bred by Sergent Stables LLC. and fetched $40,000 at the 2019 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, has a record of 5-1-4 from 13 starts, and he pushed his earnings to $342,418. Always A Miki, who is the second foal out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Beach Gal (1:49 3/5, $482,301), paid $16.00 to win as a 7-1 offering.

There was also an $81,000 consolation event for the Governor's Cup, which went to Beachhead (David Miller), a Somebeachsomewhere half-brother to Sportswriter, in 1:51 2/5. Beachhead, who was a $225,000 buy last year in Lexington, rallied off a second-over journey to defeat Baklouva (Gingras) by three-parts of a length for trainer Chris Ryder and owners Steve Heimbecker and Mac Nichol. Beachhead was bred by James Avritt Sr.