TORONTO — In the second start of his homecoming, Jimmy Takter-trainee Creatine displayed an effortless harness racing performance, taking the $531,250 U.S. ($689,244 Cdn) Breeders Crown open trot at Woodbine Racetrack in 1:52.4 over Resolve, Gural Hanover, and Bee A Magician.
Under minor encouragement by driver Johnny Takter, Creatine swept to the lead over Resolve and Gural Hanover, passing the first quarter in :27.2 and remaining unchallenged through a :56.4 half.
Bee A Magician made her move into the far turn, flushing out Resolve heading to the third quarter. Timed in 1:25.1, Creatine began to sprint home. Resolve chased in second, while Gural Hanover snuck by a stalled Bee A Magician to the inside. Creatine was a two-length winner at the wire.
"He was a little bit hot at sometimes," Johnny Takter said of Creatine.
The Andover Hall horse, out of the Muscles Yankee mare Berry Nice Muscles, passed $2 million in career earnings with the Crown victory. He has 17 wins from 52 starts. Bred by Diamond Creek Farm, he competes for the interest of Big C Racing and conditioner Jimmy Takter. The $7.00 winner gave Jimmy Takter his fifth win on the Breeders Crown card and 26th lifetime. This was also brother Johnny Takter's first Breeders Crown win.
"We [Johnny and I] have come a long way together," Jimmy Takter said. "John had a fantastic career in Europe, and I've done well over here. He has driven a few race for me over the years here, too, but it's always special when your brother wins a race for you like this. He had done a fantastic job with the horse over in Europe. It's very special for us."
Asked about how Creatine's connections decided to supplement to the Breeders Crown, Takter said, "Of course [it was a hard decision] because $62,500 is a lot of money to bring into this game. The horse raced well at Yonkers. Unfortunately, he tied up a little bit there, and I thought he would've had a heck of a shot to win that one, too. The horse is razor sharp and has been racing well in Europe, so I know we belong. I also basically knew what was going to be here, and I knew he could beat these horses."
By Ray Cotolo