Call Crafty Player the Johnny Vander Meer of thoroughbred racing. For the first time anyone can remember, maybe the first time ever, Crafty Player won back-to-back races in New York, taking Sunday’s ninth-race finale at Aqueduct by six lengths, then, after Monday and Tuesday were dark, he wheeled right back to win yesterday’s Big A opener by 4 3/4. Both races were run at six furlongs.

“It wasn’t a plan,” said Crafty Player’s trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr. “He seems to like it,” noting that the 4-year-old Crafty Prospector colt has run well on short rest before. Last Feb. 24, for example, he won for a $12,500 claiming tag at Aqueduct, then won again Feb. 27 for $22,500.

Before Sunday’s race, also a $12,500 claimer, Crafty Player was last seen Sept. 10 at Belmont Park finishing last of five, beaten 62 1/4 lengths, after serving as a “rabbit” (pacesetter) for leading Horse of the Year candidate Saint Liam in the Grade 1 Woodward.

“I gave him plenty of time to get over it,” Dutrow said, “but he wasn’t training good for a long time. He wasn’t training good going into the race the other day. He wasn’t hitting the ground right, so we figured let’s put him in (for a tag), let someone have him and let them figure it out.”

In fact, Crafty Player was claimed yesterday for $16,000 by trainer Patricia Farro on behalf of the Gumpster Stable.

“He didn’t beat anything the last couple days,” Dutrow said. “I certainly wish him well.”