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East Rutherford, NJ – There were no changes in the ninth edition of Dave Little’s weekly Road to The Meadowlands Pace Top 10 harness racing poll. The top six are taking the week off, while the bottom four will go head-to-head-to-head-to-head at The Big M Saturday night.
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Nijinsky($529,890 – 1:48.1)
|
L. Roy, A. BeatonWest Wins Stable,John D Fielding, Mark B Dumain
|
Nijinsky is hoping to become the first horse since Tall Dark Stranger in 2020 to pull off the North America Cup/Meadowlands Pace double. Beaton: “He’s been good. Last week, we gave him an easy week. this week, we have been jogging him up good and will train him up good at the end of the week. We’ll head down to Jersey, and hopefully, we can get the same result as we did in the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 1st (1:48.1) |
| 2 |
Captain’s Quarters($594,456 – 1:49.1)
|
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Off a giant effort in the Cup, this one is ready for another top try. Holland: “He came out of the North America Cup excellent. We trained him [Tuesday] and he was very good. Everything is looking good for next week. I’m going to head down [to New Jersey] Wednesday.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 2nd (1:48.2) |
| 3 |
Funtime Bayama($381,948 – 1:49.1)
|
TBA, A. HarrisWilliam Pollock, Bruce Areman, Andrew Harris
|
A blockbuster private sale finds this one in a new barn, just in time for the Pace. These are the same owners who acquired big-name performers Abuckabett Hanover, Seven Colors and El Rey within the last two years. Harris: “I’ve had him just a couple of days. He got here Monday. He’s going to train on Saturday at The Meadowlands. We’d love to win the Meadowlands Pace and the Little Brown Jug. On Saturday, we will reveal who his driver will be.”
Breeding: He’s Watching-Tymal SugrbabydollLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 3rd (1:48.3) |
| 4 |
Captain Albano($552,915 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
Was he the best horse in the Cup, but simply had no room late from the pocket? He certainly looked good earlier in the mile, making two moves to the top. Daley: “He seems good, nice and bright. I’m happy with him. He came out of the race well and traveled well. He’s pretty relaxed.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 4th (1:48.4) |
| 5 |
Legendary Hanover($377,209 – 1:48.3) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Keep in mind, this one was the fastest 3YO of the year until his stablemate went faster in the Cup. He’s got big game. Beaton: “He’s been great since the North America Cup. I couldn’t ask for a horse to come out of a race any better, especially after the [first-over] trip he went. I’m very confident in Legendary and I’m sure he will get his day. These races, it comes down to trips. Maybe Legendary gets the trip in the Pace that Nijinsky got in the Cup. I’ll take either one winning. I’m not fussy.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 5th (1:49) |
| 6 |
McCrunch($39,555 – 1:49) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stable,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
Led to the top of the stretch with some tough older foes before getting nailed on the wire by a nose in a 1:49 mile. No need to drop this one in the poll off a performance like that. Takter: “I was really happy with him. He was probably a little bit short and needed the race. He’ll train a mile [Thursday] and train back again next Wednesday, and then it’s the Pace elims.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 6/22/2024 – NW$14,000 – 2nd (1:49) |
| 7 |
Captain Luke($354,174 – 1:49.3) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
The Governor’s Cup winner from last year is in Saturday night at The Big M, facing Nos. 8, 9 and 10 in the poll. Alagna: “He’s really good. He trained well [Wednesday]. As long as his blood work stays good, he’s just as competitive as any of them in there.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 6th (1:49.2) |
| 8
|
Mirage Hanover($186,883 – 1:49.3) |
T. Tetrick, J. LeamonMarvin J Rounick |
Leaves from post seven Saturday in a race that includes Nuclear, Captain Luke and Gem Quality. Are you good with that, Jake? Leamon: “It’s a good thing. I want to get him a race, get him a tightener. With the way my horse races, I think he’ll benefit by following one of them. He takes care of himself. He’s either sleeping or up hollering at the other horses.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup consolation – 3rd (1:49.2) |
| 9 |
Gem Quality($488,401 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Except for one race, this one has had a good year. Ryder: “There was no class for my horse to race, so it morphed into this race on Saturday. I’m happy about it. It’ll be his first start on Lasix.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 5th (1:51) |
| 10 |
Nuclear($107,920 – 1:48.4) |
A. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms |
Makes just his second start of the season. The first one was fabulous. Holloway: “He feels fine and trained well. He raced enough last year for experience, so he’ll figure it out.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-Can’tgetenuffofyouLast Race: 6/14/2024 – M1 – NW2 – 1st (1:48.4) |
From The Meadowlands
