Meadowlands: Takter-trained fillies strike twice in Garden State trots

Featured on the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial undercard on Saturday night at the Meadowlands were divisions of the Garden State for 3-year-old trotters of both sexes.

In a $48,000 dash for fillies, Madam Cheval worked out a second-over trip, displayed good trot after tipping with a little more than an eighth to go, then held off a late-charging Emmas Mystery CCL to record her second career win in 13 tries.

The Nancy Takter trainee, a daughter of Walner-Shake It Cerry who was driven by Tim Tetrick, stopped the clock in a lifetime-best 1:53 and returned $8 to win as the 3-1 second choice.

Takter completed a sweep of the Garden State's two divisions - this one for $45,000 - for fillies as 2-5 favorite Leading Lady tracked the action early from fourth in the five-horse field (there were two scratches), moved into contention nearing the far turn, and then exploited leader Isabella Bi's wonky steps nearing the wire to record a safe neck win in a lifetime-best-equaling 1:53 1/5.

Driven by Matt Kakaley, Leading Lady, a daughter of Walner-Muscle Dolly, returned $2.80 to her backers.

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In the first of two Garden State splits for colts and geldings on the trot, which went for $45,000, the Marcus Melander-trained American Power sat a four-hole to the five-eighths before moving to the outside, was up to challenge leader Southwind Alamo with a little more than an eighth to go and powered his way to victory in a lifetime-best 1:52 3/5.

The exquisitely well-bred Walner-Ariana G colt, who was driven by Dexter Dunn, returned $3.80 as the 4-5 public choice.

Finally, in the second division for the boys, which sported a purse of $42,000, the Tom Fanning-trained Practical Man yielded to sit a pocket trip behind 3-5 favorite Never Say Die and skimmed the cones late to pick up his second win in three 2026 starts. The winning time of 1:53 4/5 was a lifetime-best for the son of Tactical Landing-Fashion Athena.

The 5-1 third choice, who was driven by Jordan Stratton, returned $13.20 to win.

A LITTLE MORE: Tetrick, Joe Bongiorno and Tyler Buter topped the driver colony with a pair of winners each. Takter and Melander each scored twice to lead the trainers. All-source betting on the 14-race program totaled $2,684,078. Racing resumes Friday at 6:35 p.m. (EDT).

--edited press release (Meadowlands)--