Racing through an absolute downpour that started just before the event began, the 99th edition of the Hambletonian for 3-year-old trotters on Saturday afternoon at the Meadowlands saw Karl rally off cover to win in 1:51 3/5, giving driver Yannick Gingras a much-awaited first victory in the event and trainer Nancy Takter her second straight, joining her father Jimmy in that elite company. Going for a purse of $1,050,000, the field of ten was reduced to nine before the start as Security Protected (Tim Tetrick) was off-stride. Private Access (James MacDonald) was fastest away from post nine and crossed down to the pylons on the opening turn, but he would be overtaken by Sig Sauer (Andy McCarthy) past the 26 4/5 opening quarter. Sig Sauer was then overtaken by elimination winner T C I as Highland Kismet (Bob McClure) got going first-over, and he was stalked by Karl from second-over. T C I put the half on the board in 54 3/5 and then dueled with Highland Kismet around the final bend and to the 1:22 4/5 three-quarters. Highland Kismet continued to push forward on his uncovered journey, going by T C I past that marker and putting Karl in a bit of trouble as well as he gapped slightly off McClure's helmet as they began to trot to the finish. Highland Kismet had the jump on the others in the lane, and he was aided by some jostling for room behind him as Sig Sauer and Amazing Catch (Dexter Dunn) got in tight quarters. However, Karl was always clear to the outside, and he began to hit top stride inside the final eighth. When Karl found that gear, Highland Kismet just couldn't match it, and with Gingras celebrating wildly, Karl would win by a length. Highland Kismet was a gallant second, followed by Amazing Catch, who did go inside one pylon in the lane but was deemed to have not gained an unfair advantage. Sig Sauer came in fourth and T C I had to settle for fifth. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter "It's been a long time coming, that's for sure. I said before I thought it was my best chance I've ever had and the horse came through," remarked Gingras after the race. "We were all in the same situation (with the rain) there, but through the race I was actually really happy the way it was setting up. I thought it set up perfectly for us. The horse is a great horse, I don't think it would've mattered, but he proved today what a champion he is. "At the top of the stretch I was like 'god dang it that fricking race is getting away from me again.' Highland Kismet kicked clear for a little bit. I had to wait on mine for a couple of strides and it was tight quarters. I didn't want to do anything to jeopardize it. I figured an eighth of a mile was enough to show what a champion he was. I knew he would be a good helmet to follow, and for once I was right." Karl is a Tactical Landing colt and is out of the RC Royalty mare Avalicious. Bred by Crawford Farms, he is co-owned by them in partnership with Nancy Takter, her mother Christina, Black Horse Racing and Bender Sweden Inc. He has a summary of 15-1-1 from 17 starts, has earned $1,799,816 and paid $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favorite. "That was exciting. It was a lot drier and nicer in the winner's circle last year, but it's just as special this year," Nancy Takter commented. "I kind of saw that (the rain) was coming, and I saw it was starting to really rain pretty hard when they were getting up behind the gate. He left out of there good and he got a really nice trip. I was really happy with the trip, and then they kind of bunched up a little bit down the stretch. I don't think I've ever screamed so much in my entire life as I did the last eighth of that mile. "It was really exciting and I'm really proud of the horse and the entire team. I'm happy Yannick got his first Hambletonian and the ownership group is great. I couldn't be happier. It's just a thrill." For Crawford Farms, this was their third Hambletonian victory since 2018, joining fillies Atlanta and Ramona Hill. "It was a little bit hairy for a while when the skies opened up, but we're so excited as breeders," stated Michelle Crawford. "We just put so much love into this sport and to have him being a Hambletonian winner now is just so special for all of us. "Now we have the little rose between two thorns (Atlanta and Ramona Hill) with Karl." HAMBO DAY HANDLE TOPS $7 MILLION AT BIG M: For the sixth time in the last seven years, all-source handle on the Hambletonian Day program at the Meadowlands topped $7 million, with the 2020 COVID-19 card the only one to fail to reach that plateau. Despite several downpours during the course of the day, a total of $7,427,223 -- an industry 2024 best -- was wagered on the blockbuster 16-race program Saturday at The Big M, good for an average per race of $464,201. "To wager over $7 million again on the biggest and best harness card of the year in North America is something we are proud of," said track Chief Operating Officer and General Manager Jason Settlemoir. "And that total takes into account only wagers made in North America. When the totals from Finland, France, Denmark, Norway and Sweden are added to our North American total, our grand total will be well in excess of $8 million." Business was predictably brisk on the Hambletonian itself, as $1,115,982 was pushed through the windows on the 99th edition of "America's Trotting Classic," the third year in a row where betting busted the million-dollar barrier. Dave Miller and Nancy Takter walked away as the top dash-winning driver and trainer, respectively, at the Winter-Spring-Championship Meet, which spanned Jan. 5-Hambo Day, a total of 61 race cards. Hall of Famer Miller, 59, claimed his first-ever outright top-driver crown. In 2003, "Purple Jesus" ended up tied atop the standings with Luc Ouellette. Miller finished with 86 victories, 14 more than runner-up Andy McCarthy. Takter, 43, whose barn is normally associated more with quality than with quantity, walked away with the dash-win crown despite registering only 93 starts entering the weekend. Her students won 36 times as she claimed her first Big M crown. Per Engblom was runner-up with 31 tallies. THREE WEEKS OFF: The Meadowlands will now go dark for three weeks before returning for its yearly "Mini Meet," when live racing will be conducted Aug. 30 and 31 and Sept. 6 and 7 at the normal 6:20 p.m. post time. --handle stats courtesy of the Meadowlands--