2024 Hambletonian | Karl

East Rutherford, NJ - Karl won the $1,050,000 Hambletonian at the Meadowlands as trainer Nancy Takter continued a family tradition and Hall of Fame driver Yannick Gingras scored his first win in the trotting classic.

Contested in a driving rainstorm, Karl closed resolutely to beat Highland Kismet by a length. Takter, a part owner of the 3-year-old colt, became the first trainer to win consecutive Hambletonians since her Hall of Fame father, Jimmy Takter, in 2014 and 2015. She was only the third female trainer to win the Hambletonian when Tactical Approach finished first last year.

For Gingras, it was the end of a lengthy quest. He was winless in 11 previous Hambletonian finals and was extremely emotional, twirling his whip in a victory salute roughly 50 yards from the finish line.