Karl breaks stakes record in $423,000 Valley Victory

Karl (Tactical Landing) became harness racing’s newest millionaire by dominating his rivals in a stakes record breaking performance in the $423,000 Valley Victory final for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings at The Meadowlands on Saturday evening (November 25th).

Driver Yannick Gingras floated Karl off the gate and bided his time before touching down on the lead just past the :27.4 opening quarter.

Gingras said it was by design that he took his time to send the 1 to 9 favorite to the front.

“I just take my time, ya know,” he said. “There’s no rush to get there. I figure everybody wants to follow him. I don’t want to do anything fancy. I think he could go a first quarter in :26 just as well as he goes the last one, but it’s just not necessary.”

Karl and Gingras clicked off the opening half in a rated :56.0 with no movement and the three quarters in 1:24.3 without facing a serious challenge. Daquiri Hanover (Ake Svanstedt), who was the first leader and sat a perfect pocket trip from the three-eighths pole onward, was the only rival that looked even moderately dangerous as the field turned for home.

Svanstedt angled his colt off the pylons to take a shot in midstretch, but Karl was in full flight, and he easily trotted away with Gingras sitting motionless in the bike. A :27.3 kicker put the finishing touches on the 1:52.1 new stakes record, breaking the old mark of 1:52.2 set by Volume Eight last year.

Daquiri Hanover was a clear second, 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner and a half-length in front of a closing Winter Soldier (Andrew McCarthy).

KARL REPLAY

Winning trainer Nancy Takter spoke about her family’s connection to Karl.

“I mean obviously it’s very special,” she said. “I mean, my dad trained Tactical Landing and my parents own a piece. I’ve only trained two (offspring), Karl and Tactical Approach. It’s very special that they are doing so well on the track. They are just really nice horses to be around.”

Gingras indicated that he knew early that Karl is this good.

“The first time I sat behind him, I was like: holy crap this thing can go,” he said. “You know what I mean, he’s got gears that not many horses have, certainly not two-year-olds. He can accelerate, he’s got big lungs, he’s got all the tools. He’s got a great gait; he’s a tremendous horse.”

By taking his ninth win in 10 starts, Karl raised his earnings to more than $1.048 million for trainer Takter partnered with mother Christina, and Black Horse Racing. All are from New Jersey. He paid the $2.10 minimum to win.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Garnet Barnsdale, for Harnesslink