Meadowlands: Connections thinking and dreaming big about the Meadowlands Pace

Could the Jimmy Takter-trained-and-driven colt who won Saturday night’s Escort Series Final at the Meadowlands be a player in the Meadowlands Pace? Who could blame his connections if they think big and dream big?

Making only the second start of his career, Thinkbig Dreambig took the $47,000 series finale for 3-year-old colts and geldings on the pace, breaking his maiden in spectacular fashion, stopping the teletimer in 1:49 2/5.

“He’s a lovely horse, a very good colt,” said Takter. “I thought he was very professional.”

It sure looked that way.

Sent off as the 1-2 favorite, Thinkbig Dreambig, a son of Bettor’s Delight-Extreme Dream, picked up a live tow at the quarter. Takter was in no particular hurry with the inexperienced colt, racing a tad gapped off his cover passing the half and three-quarters.

As Legal Power, the longshot who challenged leader Life Happened down the backstretch, weakened around the far turn, Takter hit the gas pedal on his colt as the pair surged three-wide coming toward the top of the stretch.

It appeared Thinkbig Dreambig would go on to an easy win from there, but with less than an eighth of a mile to go, driver Eric Abbatiello found a seam with Thor De Vie and briefly took the lead away from the favorite.

Takter then got after his colt, giving him a few right-handers, and he responded by going on to a half-length win over Thor De Vie. Better Watch Out finished third.

“He really doesn’t know what racing is yet,” said Takter. “He learned quite a bit tonight. For a very green horse, he’s a professional.”

Thinkbig Dreambig, who returned $3.00 to his backers and is owned by Brixton Medical Inc., J. Fielding, G. Anderberg and G. Falk, did not compete during his 2-year-old season due to breathing issues that required surgery. The rehab took time. Hence, the late start. And much catching up to do.

Takter also has Lost In Time, one of the early Meadowlands Pace favorites, in his barn. Can Thinkbig Dreambig compete with horses like him?

“I made Thinkbig Dreambig eligible (to the Meadowlands Pace) because I know how good a horse he is,” said Takter. “I know he can go with those horses. It’s just a matter of getting him ready.”

Takter knows it’s a longshot given his horse’s inexperience, but when it comes to The Pace and Thinkbig Dreambig, who knows?

“It’s possible he could be there,” said Takter.

K J’s Justine ($6.00) won the $42,500 Rainbow Blue Final for 3-year-old pacing fillies for driver Eric Abbatiello and trainer Linda Toscano in a lifetime-best 1:51 4/5 and Santiago Style ($4.20) took the $35,200 Hot Lead Final for pacers of any age in 1:49 4/5 for driver Jim Marohn Jr. and trainer Robert Bongiorno.

--press release (Meadowlands)--