Meadowlands: What The Hill charges home to win Haughton

When it comes to 2-year-olds the expectations are that trainers Ron Burke and Jimmy Takter will be well represented. In the $294,450 Peter Haughton for 2-year-old trotting colts at The Meadowlands on Saturday, Burke took home top honors with What The Hill as Takter charges got the remainder of the on-the-board spots.

What The Hill started the race in fine order as he came away in the pocket behind Snowstorm Hanover in the early stages. Those two marched past the opening splits in a relaxing 28 2/5 and 57 before the parked-out Victor Gio It began to turn up the heat and supply live cover for Takter stablemate Rubio.

Snowstorm Hanover had the lead at the 1:25 4/5 three quarter marker, but it was short-lived as Victor Gio It edged by and that left What The Hill in a sticky spot behind a tired leader. Victor Gio It opened up on the field and looked to be home free for Swedish driver Bjorn Goop, but What The Hill sprouted wings once able to find daylight and powered home to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:54 4/5.

Rubio, despite the cover trip, was third.

“Actually, we got lucky there,” said driver David Miller. “At the head of the stretch it wasn’t looking good and I kind of got bounced around a little bit there. Matt (Kakaley, Snowstorm Hanover) finally bore out a little off the rail and I got up the inside. Still then, the two horses were trying to close the gap on me there, but he was able to get his legs up there in time where they couldn’t shut me off. It was pretty exciting, really.”

What The Hill returned $18.60 to win and picked up $139,865 in earnings for owners Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable, J&T Silva Stable and Deo Volente Farms.

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