Another Like Me back on Oaks path

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Having made breaks in two of her three career parimutuel harness racing starts, it’s safe to say that the Nancy Takter-trained Another Like Me (Muscle Hill-Stubborn Belle) still has a lot to learn if she’s going to make an appearance in the Hambletonian Oaks on the first Saturday in August.

On Friday night (May 26) at The Meadowlands, school was in session, and she graduated first in the class.

“She’s a super nice filly,” said Takter. “She covers the ground well and has got a great set of lungs on her. But she does need a bit more maturity.”

Another Like Me went off stride in her most recent try at Pocono Downs when she saw the paddock gate on the far turn and wanted to call it a night, so Takter made an equipment change for Friday’s $14,500 conditioned event for 3-year-filly trotters.

“We put some blinkers on her and she was more focused,” said Takter. “She was well in hand tonight.”

Another Like Me raced in the pocket behind 7-2 second choice A Good Chardonnay before ripping out of that spot on the far turn on the way to an easy 1¼-length win in a lifetime-best 1:54. Baby Take A Vow was second with The Empress Ice third.

As the 4-5 favorite, Another Like Me, who’s now two-for-four in her career, returned $3.80 to win with Yannick Gingras doing the driving.

“The Hambletonian Oaks?” said Takter. “It’s definitely a spot where you might see her. But she is playing catch up a bit.”

FERRARI FABULOUS: After failing at odds of 1-5 and 1-2, respectively, in his last two starts, Ari Ferrari J (Walner-Dream Child) still had the confidence of the betting public in a non-winners of two for trotters, scoring as the 1-20 public choice in a lifetime-best 1:53.4.

“He’s a big strong horse who’s easy to drive,” said winning pilot Gingras. “This was a good prep for next week’s (New Jersey) Sire Stakes final.”

Ari Ferrari J, a 3-year-old colt who raced on the Grand Circuit all year long during 2022, lifted his lifetime earnings past the $240,000 mark while recording his second win from 16 lifetime outings for trainer Tony Alagna.

A LITTLE MORE: Gingras and Dave Miller led the driver colony with three winners apiece on the night. … Alagna was the top trainer with three walks down victory lane. … All-source wagering on the 13-race card totaled $2,257,753. … Racing resumes Saturday at 6:20 p.m. with a pair of $240,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes finals for 3-year-olds the featured events. Two Pistol Annie (filly pace) and Meadowlands Pace hopeful Voukefalas (colt and gelding pace) will both be seeking a sweep of their respective series after winning each of the opening two legs.

For complete race results, click here.