USA
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Europe
UK / IRE
East Rutherford, NJ – With the exception of McCrunch rejoining the poll at No. 10, the fifth edition of Dave Little’s Road to The Meadowlands Pace Weekly Top 10 saw little harness racing movement. That’s bound to change in the next three weeks, with the Somebeachsomewhere and North America Cup to be contested at Mohawk.
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Captain Albano($491,230 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
If this is Noel Daley’s way of taking his time with his prized pupil, it’s going to be a big year, as the horse named for the famed wrestling manager has a stranglehold on the top spot after a second straight good-looking score in the Keystone State. Daley: “My horse is the one they have to beat. We’ve been lucky. He got a nice trip in his first start and he got an easy enough half in his second the other day. If we get all things being right, he’ll get better each week. I’m happy with where we are at. We’ll get up to Mohawk next week [for the North America Cup] and we’ll have more to deal with.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 5/26/2024 – Phl – PaSS – 1st (1:49.4) |
| 2 |
Captain’s Quarters($396,808 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Will be making his second start of the season Saturday in the Somebeachsomewhere. Are you in catch-up mode? Holland: “I would have liked to have just one more start but it’s pretty hard to dance every dance and have them 100% every week, so we’ll take the weeks as they come.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO2-4RL – 1st (1:50.1) |
| 3 |
Legendary Hanover($319,904 – 1:48.3) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Did he need the week off after that scorching 1:48.3 effort? Beaton: “It was a planned week off. We don’t want to race every week. We possibly have three big weeks here [at Mohawk]. Our plan has worked out so far. There are bigger tasks at hand.” Next up: The SBSW.
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 1st (1:48.3) |
| 4 |
Gem Quality($486,576 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
I know, I know, it’s a tough room when you’re a good second to the No. 1 horse and you drop a spot in the poll. That’s how stacked this Top 10 is. Ryder: “My horse was very good [on Sunday] but all credit to [Captain Albano]. He had us all bottled up until the stretch. We’re taking the week off and going to the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 5/26/2024 – Phl – PaSS – 2nd (1:50) |
| 5 |
Captain Luke($342,494 – 1:49.3) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
First start of the year: Second to McCrunch. Second start of the year (last week): A huge 10-hole win over a pair of Pace eligibles (Remember The Alamo and Number Cruncher). As a result, he jumps over his stablemate into the 5 spot. Were you expecting that kind of effort? Alagna: “Absolutely. With what he has coming up in the next couple of weeks the plan was to race him aggressively enough to have this week off to give him time to recover.” Next up is The North America Cup.
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 5/25/2024 – M1 – 3YO NW3 – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 6 |
Better Is Nice($581,220 – 1:50.3) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc,Birnam Wood Farms |
Added Lasix and had another nice effort, but came up short to Pace ineligible Arbitrage Hanover for a third straight start. Alagna: “I thought our horse was very good the other day. He’s about where I need him to be. I think this week off will do him a lot of good.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Wish-ThatsoveryveryniceLast Race: 5/25/2024 – M1 – NJSS FINAL – 2nd (1:49.1) |
| 7 |
Clever Cody($415,872 – 1:50.1) |
A. Merriman, Dr. I. MooreClever Cody Stable |
After the snap on his split martingale broke in his May 18th start, Doc Moore worked the horse last Saturday in 1:50 at Mohawk. Now, he will ship to Ohio to race in the sires stakes. Moore: “He jogged super [Wednesday] and will jog [Thursday], then ship early Friday morning to Northfield. I’m looking forward to the North America Cup.”
Breeding: The Panderosa-Cams Van GoLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 8th BE (1:51.3) |
| 8 |
Mirage Hanover($177,393 – 1:49.3) |
T. Tetrick, J. LeamonMarvin J Rounick |
Displayed his powerhouse late kick in last, but came up short to the tough Binge On Yankee. Leamon: “[Tim] had to check him halfway down the lane or it would have been interesting. My horse takes care of himself. We’ll take the week off and then head to the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 5/25/2024 – M1 – NW14,000 – 2nd (1:48.4) |
| 9 |
Total Stranger($88,085 – 1:49) |
Y. Gingras, N. TakterJudith S Taylor,Caviart Farms,Chuck Pompey |
Next start for this speedball will be in the North America Cup. Takter: “He’s going to train at The Meadowlands [Thursday]. I think his biggest attribute is he is efficiently gaited. I think right now we just kind of have to race the horse as things unfold. I think he’d be fine off a helmet.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Precocious BeautyLast Race: 5/19/2024 – Phl – NW3 – 1st (1:49) |
| 10 |
McCrunch($28,490 – 1:49.4) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stable,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
Talk about a horse for the course. 4 Meadowlands starts, 4 Meadowlands wins. Takter: “He will race at The Big M Friday (in race 5) and no place else until The Meadowlands Pace. I think it was a matter of circumstance in the two races he broke. He’s still a very green horse.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 5/18/2024 – M1 – 3YO NW3 – 1st (1:49.4) |
From The Meadowlands
