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East Rutherford, NJ – The action is reaching the boiling point. Nine of the horses in the Week 8 edition of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll will be on the track this weekend with the marquee showdown taking place at The Meadows on Saturday when top-ranked Southwind Gendry battles No. 3 Perfect Sting. Visit MeadowlandsPace.com for all the Pace night details. #Pace21
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s Comments |
1 |
Southwind Gendry($672,758 – Q1:49.3) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,Knox Services, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby |
“My horse was good in his qualifier [Saturday morning at The Meadowlands],” said Burke. “But [Perfect Sting] was unbelievable [Saturday night at The Big M].” Those two giants of the 3-year-old colt pacing division will hook up Saturday at The Meadows in Sire Stakes action for a purse of $148,332. “You’ve got to beat [Perfect Sting] sooner or later but I’m still not thrilled with where Gendry is,” said Burke of the tough task that awaits in the 10th-race showdown where ‘Gendry’ has drawn post 2.
Breeding: Always B Miki-Gambler’s Passion Last Race: 6/19 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:49.3) |
2 |
Abuckabett Hanover($235,021 – 1:49.1) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaCrawford Farms Racing,Alagna Racing, Jablonsky HeldStable, Barbera N Wienick Stable |
Like five others in the Top 10, his Road to the Pace will go through Yonkers Raceway and the Messenger Eliminations Friday night (Race 9, Post 4). “Abuckabett trained very well over the track at Yonkers,” said Alagna. “When they upped the purse to $500,000, it made you take a second look. My horse is doing great.”
Breeding: Betting Line-All Tucked Up Last Race: 5/30 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:51.1) |
3 |
Perfect Sting($555,811 – 1:48.1) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayBrittany Farms,Val D’Or Farms |
Battled back after getting passed to win in 1:48.1 in scintillating fashion Saturday night at The Big M against older foes. “Overall, I’m pleased,” said Holloway. “You can now see why I did not want to face older horses. He had to come back. Not a lot of horses can do that. He’s where I want him to be. I would have stayed home had The Meadowlands 3-year-old Open filled.” Instead, on to The Meadows and a date with ‘Gendry’ (Race 10, Post 7).
Breeding: Always B Miki-ShebestinginLast Race: 6/19 – M1 – NW$12,500L5 – 1st (1:48.1) |
4 |
One Eight Hundred($97,958 – 1:48.4) |
T. Tetrick, N. TakterBrixton Medical, Nancy Takter |
“He’s good and the trip worked out perfect,” said Takter of her horse’s conquest of South Beach Star in a 3-year-old conditioned pace at The Big M Saturday. “He needs one more start. I’m going to make some changes.” Off a win!!?? “A pair of aluminum shoes and a UFO bike. It could be the difference between first and second [in the big races].” He’ll take on older horses Saturday night at The Big M in Race 8 from Post 7.
Breeding: Somebeachsomewhere-Economy Terror Last Race: 6/19 – M1 – Winners of 2 Non-Winners of 6 – 1st (1:48.4) |
5 |
Exploit($432,402 – 1:50.3) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaLeBlanc and Kribbs,Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners,Joseph Barbera |
Looks ready for The Messenger (Race 9, Post 6) off a 7-hole speed score at Yonkers a week ago Tuesday. “He went a very big trip in that race and has been very consistent,” said Alagna. Five wins from 18 lifetime starts and nine on-the-board finishes back that up. A big four-week stretch awaits.
Breeding: Somebeachsomewhere-Time On My HandsLast Race: 6/15 – YR – Non-Winners of 6 – 1st (1:53.2) |
6 |
Heart Of Chewbacca($288,848 – 1:48.4) |
D. Noble, R. BurkeDennis Owens,Norman Rae Racing |
Finished second last week after his remarkable 1:48.4 score, but his trainer seems unconcerned. “We got a screwy trip. He kind of missed the gate. I was thrilled with his effort. Now the question is: Do we storm out of there [from Post 6 in Race 8 in The Messenger] and try to take our shot? Danny’s [Noble] aggressive, as anyone who watches him race knows.”
Breeding: Bring On The Beach-JT’s Chewbacca Last Race: 6/19 – ScD – Ohio Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:49.3) |
7 |
Always A Miki($349,911 – 1:50.2) |
D. Dunn, N. TakterChristina Takter, Goran Anderberg,Herb Liverman, Rojan Stables |
“He’s going to race in The Messenger [Race 8, Post 1] first and then we will see about The Pace,” said Takter. “He raced super in his last start. He’s an overachiever with a great attitude.” Winner of two straight will show how he stacks up is in this division Friday night.Breeding: Always B Miki-Beach Gal Last Race: 6/13 – Phl – Winners of 5 Non-Winners of 7 – 1st (1:50.4) |
8 |
American Courage($198,633 – 1:49.4) |
M. Kakaley, T. AlexanderFiddler’s Creek Stables |
Another in the Top 10 who is Yonkers bound Friday (Race 8, Post 2). “Track size does not matter,” said Alexander. “He gets around all sizes. He’s won in 1:52 already on a ½ -mile track. I think he can go 1:47 or 1:48 on a mile track.”
Breeding: American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip Last Race: 6/12 – PcD – Non-Winners of $12,500L5 – 1st (1:49.4) |
9 |
Lawless Shadow($260,669 – 1:50) |
B. McClure, I. MooreIan Moore, R G McGroup Ltd,Serge Savard, Frank Cannon |
Back in the Top 10 off a blowout 5-length score at his home track, Mohawk. “We were very pleased,” said Moore. “It had been a month since his previous race. He’ll go next a week from Saturday in the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold and then we will be on our way to The Pace. That’s a given.”
Breeding: Shadow Play-LadycinoLast Race: 6/19 – Wbsb – Non-Winners of $16,500L5 – 1st (1:50.2) |
10 |
Charlie May($368,627 – 1:49.3) |
B. Miller, S. CarterDon Tiger |
Winner of nine-of-14 lifetime returns to the Top 10 off a 1:49.3 score over Heart Of Chewbacca. “I wasn’t surprised,” said Carter. “My horse was locked in the week before.” Next stop: The Messenger (Race 8, Post 7).
Breeding: McArdle-Stipple Hanover Last Race: 6/19 – ScD – Ohio Sire Stakes – 1st (1:49.3) |
KEY PREP RACES
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race
| Date | Stakes | Site | Winner | Trainer | Driver | 2nd Horse | 3rd Horse | Time |
| 5/1 | Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Mea
Mea |
LITERL LAD HANOVER
SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
R. Burke
R. Burke |
D. Miller
Y. Gingras |
STONEBRIDGE REEF
CHASE H HANOVER |
Water Sports Teen
Sweet Angel Boy |
1:51.1
1:49.4 |
| 5/8
|
Pa. All-Stars
Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars |
PcD
PcD PcD PcD |
HELLABALOU
Emblaze Hanover Gamblin Mo ONE EIGHT HUNDRED |
E. Dennis
R. Burke J. Butenschoen N. Takter |
A. McCarthy
J. Bongiorno T. Buter T. Tetrick |
Komodo Beach
Crunch Hanover STONEBRIDGE REEF Water Sports Teen |
Six Degrees
RED RIGHT HAND CAPTAINS PLACE Warrawee Whynot |
1:52.1
1:50.2 1:50.1 1:50.1 |
| 5/16
|
Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes |
PcD PcD PcD | EXPLOIT
ABUCKABETT HANOVER ONE EIGHT HUNDRED |
T. Alagna
T. Alagna N. Takter |
J. Bongiorno
A. McCarthy T. Tetrick |
Gamblin Mo
PERFECT STING SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
LITERL LAD HANOVER
RED RIGHT HAND ROCKYROAD HANOVER |
1:50.3
1:50.0 1:50.3 |
| 5/30
|
Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Phil
Phil |
ABUCKABETT HANOVER
SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
T. Alagna
R. Burke |
A. McCarthy
Y. Gingras |
Gamblin Mo
HELLABALOU |
RED RIGHT HAND
BILLY CLYDE |
1:51.1
1:51.0 |
| 6/25 | Messenger Elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/26 | Pa. Sire Stakes | Mea | ||||||
| 7/2 | Messenger Final | YR | ||||||
| 7/17 | Meadowlands Pace | M1 |
