Traffic no problem for ‘Champagne’ in $243,400 Kindergarten

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Champagne Problems (Tactical Landing-Miss Caviar) had some issues on the final turn, but harness racing driver Dexter Dunn steered the favorite clear of traffic and the filly rolled home powerfully to capture the $243,400 Kindergarten Series final for female freshman trotters at the Meadowlands on Saturday night (Nov. 9) in a 1:53.2 mile.

Dunn had the 3-5 favorite leaving from post seven, but she had company to her inside at the outset with Voguish and Todd McCarthy gaining the front into the first turn and forcing Mhyonlylove into the pocket behind her. McCarthy parked the favorite past the :29.1 opening quarter before yielding the front.

My Honor and driver Åke Svanstedt were parked nearly to race’s midpoint, but they eventually passed Champagne Problems before the :57.2 half-mile marker. The complexion of the race changed in an instant as Voguish made an all-out brush form third past the half to secure the lead and hopefully leave the favorite and the other eight rivals in the dust.

With Voguish going past the three-quarters in 1:25.2, she left R Dutchess and Corey Callahan uncovered. But when Sonmar Pond couldn’t keep up with that cover, an opening came for Dunn, and he was able to steer Champagne Problems off the pylons and angle wide coming into the homestretch.

Voguish tried to maintain her advantage, but by mid-stretch, it was apparent that Champagne Problems had her collared, with Dunn having pulled the earplugs and gotten the response he expected winning by 1-3/4 lengths. The Nancy Takter-trained filly won quite handily with R Dutchess getting up late for the second spot. Voguish was active most of the mile and weakened late to finish third. R Charm rallied from the back for fourth.

CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS REPLAY

For Champagne Problems, this was her seventh win in 11 starts in her first year on the racetrack. The victory propelled her career earnings more than a half-million dollars and gave her free entry into the Goldsmith Maid final. Owned by Rojan Stables, Family Business, Patrick Hoopes and Caviart Farms, Champagne Problems returned $3.20 as the public choice.

“She put her head down and did her job,” said Takter, relieved that Champagne Problems was able to get a clear lane in the homestretch.

As for another race (the Goldsmith Maid on Nov. 30) before the stakes season ends, Takter said, “As long as she’s healthy, we will be there.”

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

by Jay Bergman, for the Hambletonian Society