Meadowlands: Tactical Landing triumphant in TVG Open Trot final
Tactical Landing led a sweep of the exacta by 3-year-olds in the $350,000 TVG Open Trot final on Saturday night at the Meadowlands, overtaking Six Pack from first-up and going on to a 1:51 4/5 score.
I Know My Chip (Victor Kirby) showed his customary early foot, getting away well and taking the lead on the first turn, but Guardian Angel As (Tim Tetrick) popped out of the pocket to take charge as they passed the 27 3/5 opening quarter.
Kentucky Futurity champion Six Pack (Ake Svanstedt) kept trucking up on the outside while that was going on, and he was able to gain command in the backstretch before the 55 1/5 half. Tactical Landing (Brian Sears) was fifth at that point, and Sears fired him to the outside into the first-over position.
Tactical Landing gained steadily on the rim, getting within striking range of Six Pack at the 1:24 three-quarters, and off the final turn Tactical Landing put Six Pack away. From there, it was all Tactical Landing as he turned the race into a romp, opening up to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Six Pack held second, with Will Take Charge (Corey Callahan) third. Guardian Angel As and I Know My Chip completed the top five.
"He's a machine, this guy," remarked Sears. "He just has a huge engine."
Jimmy Takter trains Tactical Landing, a Muscle Hill colt, for owner The Tactical Landing Stable. This was Tactical Landing's ninth win, all of which have come in 2018, and he pushed his lifetime earnings to $819,300. The 7-5 favorite, he paid $4.80 to win.
"This is really, really special. I'm so proud of this horse," offered Takter. "I can't race a horse more than I've raced this guy. He's just a wonderful, wonderful horse. He's one-of-kind. In the beginning he was a real project. I had to carry him around the track quite a bit. He just didn't have confidence in himself. He trotted 51 in his first start here for me, so that tells you the kind of ability this horse has. To do this mile he did today here in this nasty weather is just a fantastic feeling. I'm really, really proud."
As he did after the Breeders Crown, Takter also stated no plans have been finalized as to whether or not Tactical Landing will return to the races as a 4-year-old.