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East Rutherford NJ – The Canadian-based trio of Captain’s Quarters (Captaintreacherous), Funtime Bayama (Hes Watching), and Nijinsky (Bettors Delight) were victorious in last week’s North America Cup harness racing eliminations and have taken over the top three spots in Dave Little’s weekly Road to The Meadowlands Pace
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Captain’s Quarters($430,206 – 1:49.1)
|
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
(Departs from post 5 in The N.A. Cup final) Gapped his cover a tad on the far turn, but it didn’t matter in what was a superb effort, as he gunned down Captain Albano to take over the top spot in the poll. Holland: “I still think I have the best colt in North America, all things being equal. Things can go right or wrong in a race, but I have a lot of faith in my horse.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 1st (1:49.1) |
| 2 |
Funtime Bayama($303,108 – 1:49.1)
|
S. Filion, R. MoreauBayama Farms Inc |
(Post 6) Moves all the way up to No. 2 after gunning down Legendary Hanover at the wire. Filion: “My horse relaxed down the stretch [in the pocket]. I thought he might get locked in but then I got room. When I moved him, he hesitated, and I shook him up a little bit and then he moved full tilt. He wanted to win. That’s a good sign. I think the Cup is going to be a very exciting race.”
Breeding: He’s Watching-Tymal SugrbabydollLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 1st (1:50.1) |
| 3 |
Nijinsky($164,890 – 1:49) |
L. Roy, A. BeatonWest Wins Stable,John D Fielding, Mark B Dumain |
(Post 4) Stayed perfect in 4 seasonal starts after a safe score in the softest elimination. Beaton: “I thought we were in a softer division, but he did perform exceptionally again, and that’s all we can ask from him. We hope we saved a little for this week.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette HanoverLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 1st (1:50.2) |
| 4 |
Captain Albano($500,355 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
(Post 2) A nice effort, but he could not deal with Captain’s Quarters late in his elim. Daley: “I was happy with his effort. I didn’t really have him all prepped up. I figured he’d get the most improvement out of the race than the others. He will be a lot sharper this week. There looks to be six horses in there [who can win the Cup] and the others can be spoilers.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 2nd (1:49.2) |
| 5 |
Legendary Hanover($344,359 – 1:48.3) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
(Post 8) Drops two spots after losing for the second time this year – in no-shame fashion – to Funtime Bayama. Beaton: “I wouldn’t say he’s tailed off. The front end the other night, it seemed like the track was playing to horses coming from off the speed. We trained him and Nijinsky [Wednesday] morning and they were both super.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 2nd (1:50.1) |
| 6 |
McCrunch($35,775 – 1:49) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stable,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
(Did not go to The N.A. Cup) His trainer will look for a race before the Pace at The Meadowlands, where this year he has 5 wins in 5 tries. Takter: “I thought it was maybe a bit hard to go to the North America Cup with a June foal who really is not even 3-years-old yet, but I do like his development from 2 to 3.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 5/31/2024 – M1 – W1-NW3 – 1st (1:49) |
| 7 |
Captain Luke($346,874 – 1:49.3) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
(Post 3) Closed ground in his elim to grab a 3rd-place check. Alagna: “The trip worked out well. He’s a horse that needs time to get rolling and he lacked room until late in his elimination, and by that time, the race was pretty much over. We got a good draw and he’s had a good week.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 3rd (1:50.3) |
| 8
|
Mirage Hanover($180,313 – 1:49.3) |
T. Tetrick, J. LeamonMarvin J Rounick |
(Post 3 in the consolation) Finished fourth in his elim, did not display his usual sharp late kick, but the trip prevented that, after he was left first-over. Leamon: “He raced his eyeballs out, it was just bad luck, and the track was not really good. We’ll see how he goes in the consolation.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 4th (1:50.3) |
| 9 |
Total Stranger($92,465 – 1:49) |
T. Tetrick, N. TakterMitchell E Friesen,Caviart Farms,Chuck Pompey |
(Post 9) Flashed his usual speed, led to the stretch, hung in there for third in Nijinsky’s win, but his trainer doesn’t think her horse is a one-trick pony. Takter: “I think he’d be fine off a helmet, too.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Precocious BeautyLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 3rd (1:50.4) |
| 10 |
Gem Quality($488,401 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Wilted to 5th in the Captain’s Quarters win, failing to earn a spot in the final. You have 4 weeks to get ready for the Pace. What’s the plan? Ryder: “I was a bit disappointed. We are not going in the consolation. I’m just going to get home, train him, make sure he’s on his game and go from there. I’m going to see how he is before I decide if we race him before the Pace.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 5th (1:51) |
by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands
