Meadowlands: Manchego headlines Takter's weekend octet

Nancy Takter considered her stable lucky this week.

"We entered 13 horses and got eight in," Takter said on Wednesday morning before delving into her chances when racing returns to The Meadowlands this Friday and Saturday night.

Perhaps it is ironic that the first race of the return finds her stable star Manchego with the pole position. Regardless, the returning 5-year-old should be up to the task. "She's great," said Takter, needing little else to explain the condition and talent of this daughter of Muscle Hill, who qualified effortlessly in 1:53 in preparation for the opener. It’s a $22,500 Preferred event, with the Meadowlands race office doing an exceptional job of getting top stakes quality horses opportunities to get tighter for the big money stakes ahead.

One of two mares in the field, Manchego is likely to be an odds-on favorite for driver Dexter Dunn, though the classy Crystal Fashion (post 3) as well as the speedy Southwind Chrome (post 7) may have something to say about it. Lindy The Great (post 4) also makes his 6-year-old debut for the Julie Miller stable following a sharp qualifier at Gaitway Farm.

JK American Beauty appears to be a different horse for Takter this year. "She didn't win a lot at 2 and 3, but made a lot of money flying under the radar," Takter said. "I think she's showing more determination this year." A neck off of champion Caviart Ally in her last competitive race back in March, the 4-year-old mare faces a softer bunch in Friday’s third race from post eight.

Takter was "happy" with the qualifier of Caviart Eva (post 4) in race four. "We're getting her ready for New Jersey Sire Stakes," said Takter. "There’s not that much to her." Nevertheless, Caviart Eva, a daughter of Trixton, did manage to earn $52K as a juvenile and fits comfortably in this non-winners-of-two event.

A horse that may not look great on paper could prove otherwise on Friday night. Specifically, JK Finendandy seemed to lose some power in her 3-year-old qualifying event last week. "She was way too hot," said Takter about the daughter of American Ideal. "Yannick (Gingras) had to choke her four times and she still came home in 27 and change."

The trainer will make some equipment adjustments and feels a different style race should set up in Friday’s fifth event, a non-winners-of-one race. "They just weren’t going fast enough in the qualifier and that jammed her up," said Takter. "I think she'll be fine with a decent pace."

Eurobond makes his seasonal debut and first start for Takter in Friday’s eighth race, a conditioned event for older trotters. "I'm happy we’re able to get him in below the Open level," Takter said.

Eurobond drew post eight in a field that includes the $1.8 million winner Obrigado (post 5) and the 19-time winner Muscle Diamond (post 9).

Closing out Takter’s Friday night dance card will be Kissin In The Sand (post 5) making her 5-year-old debut following a 2019 season that saw her win but one time. On the upside, was a powerful 1:50 4/5 qualifying victory last Saturday at The Meadowlands. "She's going to have to leave the gate better this year," said Takter, lamenting some of the difficult trips the daughter of Somebeachsomewhere had to deal with in 2019. The ninth race co-feature is a $22,500 Preferred event that also includes last year’s Breeders Crown champion Caviart Ally (post 9).

On Saturday night, the promising gelding No Lou Zing makes his sophomore debut roughly three months after it was intended. "He's not a catch-driver horse just yet," said Takter, explaining the use of Josert Fonseca in the bike in Saturday’s second race. "He made breaks on us last year but hasn’t since we’ve trained him back this year."

A son of Sweet Lou, No Lou Zing was eye-catching in devouring rivals in his qualifier at The Meadowlands last Saturday. "Josert has sat behind a lot of good horses working for my dad all these years. He said he's never sat behind a faster horse," said Takter. Expect No Lou Zing to again be racing from behind in this non-winners-of-one event.

Caviart Rockland makes his 4-year-old return as a gelding and Takter has seen the improvement since the February procedure. "He would get up to horses and not want to pass. He’s more aggressive now," Takter said when describing the son of Sportswriter, who drew post six in Saturday’s 12th race.

Takter noted that 2-year-old champion Tall Dark Stranger would train Thursday morning at The Meadowlands for a likely first qualifier the following Saturday. "I need to get a good mile in him. He's a big horse. The turns at home are just too flat for me to do that," Takter said.

On the long front, she expects Tall Dark Stranger to get perhaps one overnight start before the Meadowlands Pace.