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East Rutherford, NJ – There were numerous changes in the third edition of Dave Little’s weekly “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll, but one thing remained the same: Captain Albano (Captaintreacherous), who makes his seasonal harness racing debut Saturday, stayed in the top spot.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 3 (of 10) – Thursday, May 16
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 13, 2024
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Captain Albano($445,680 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
A high-octane final quarter of :25.3 finished off a winning qualifier last Friday morning. Daley: “In the first qualifier, he went less than I wanted him to go. But in the second qualifier, I was real happy with him. I would love for him to win every start but he’s not going to be 110 percent these first couple of starts. He’s going to race Saturday in The Poconos.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 5/10/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.3) |
| 2 |
Captain’s Quarters($389,143 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Hasn’t been out since his qualifier on May 6. Holland: “He trained very well and is in to go Saturday night at Mohawk. Our tentative plan is to go in the Somebeachsomewhere. You have to get them stretched out, and you don’t do that until you face the good horses.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 5/6/2024 – Wbsb – Qualifier – 1st (1:53) |
| 3 |
Gem Quality($453,940 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Unleashed a powerful extended rally on the way to an easy win at Pocono Downs. Ryder: “He was good in that race and is doing well. We are racing on Saturday in The Poconos. We just want three or four starts in him before the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 5/11/2024 – PcD – Pa. All-Stars – 1st (1:53) |
| 4 |
Better Is Nice($521,220 – 1:50.3) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc,Birnam Wood Farms |
Raced well again but could not deal with Pace ineligible Arbitrage Hanover for a second straight start. Alagna: “Arbitrage gets home in :25 and change, it’s tough to make up ground. Brett’s [Pelling] horse is very sharp right now. My horse did bleed, so he’ll race with Lasix in the NJSS final a week from Saturday. The adding Lasix does not concern me.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Wish-ThatsoveryveryniceLast Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NJSS – 3rd (1:51.1) |
| 5 |
Legendary Hanover($311,509 – 1:49.4) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Season’s debut was a superb-looking score at Mohawk against conditioned stock. Beaton: “He was exceptional. James [MacDonald] had him shut down once he made the front. He just let him pace. When he moved him and asked him, he was well in hand. As we go forward, there will be tougher tasks. This Saturday, we are in an overnight at Mohawk against Clever Cody.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 5/11/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 1st (1:49.4) |
| 6 |
Captain Luke($332,109 – 1:51) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
His qualifier was better than it looks on paper, as he closed in :26 while Captain Albano was winning. Racing Saturday at The Meadowlands in a 3-year-old conditioned race. Alagna: “A nice effort, :26 on the end, and it was Scottie’s [Zeron] first time with him. Scottie’s checking out the gears a little bit. And he’s a big-money guy. I’m good with everything.” Zeron is the new pilot with Todd McCarthy committed to Captain Albano.
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 5/10/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 5th (1:54) |
| 7 |
Clever Cody($415,872 – 1:50.1) |
B. McClure, Dr. I. MooreClever Cody Stable |
Took last week off after his huge 1:50.1 effort at Miami Valley. Moore: “The race on Saturday at Mohawk, he’s facing a couple of good 3-year-olds. It’s time to have some competition. I trained him a single trip last Saturday and he came his last quarter in :26.”
Breeding: The Panderosa-Cams Van GoLast Race: 5/4/2024 – MVR – OHSS – 1st (1:50.1) |
| 8 |
Funtime Bayama($238,247 – 1:49.4) |
S. Filion, R. MoreauBayama Farms Inc |
Breaks into the Top 10 off a second consecutive win in Ontario SBOA action. Filion: “My father [Yves] took care of him all winter, then sent him to Moreau to race. I don’t like comparing horses, but I think he’s a mixture of Goliath Bayama and Runnymede Lobell.” Funtime is not in this week.
Breeding: He’s Watching-Tymal SugrbabydollLast Race: 5/11/2024 – Wbsb – Ontario SBOA – 1st (1:49.4) |
9 |
Mirage Hanover($173,613 – 1:49.3) |
T. Tetrick, J. LeamonMarvin J Rounick |
Used remarkable late explosive pace up the inside to beat conditioned foes at The Big M, taking down some solid older stock. He’ll take this week off. Leamon: “He can fly off a helmet. It was a tough spot for him, but it was the best I could do to get him a race. We are looking for another race.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NW10,000 – 1st (1:49.3) |
10 |
Total Stranger($82,085 – 1:49.1) |
Y. Gingras, N. TakterJudith S Taylor,Caviart Farms,Chuck Pompey |
Did you happen to catch his effort at Chester? WOW!! Three :26.4 quarters to start things off led to a dominant win in 1:49.1. Failed to win a race in 11 tries a year ago. What’s different? Takter: “The horse has always had ability, but he never wanted to pass horses, so I told Yannick to put him on the front and roll him. He’s going to race back on Sunday at Chester. He’s [2020 Horse of the Year] Tall Dark Stranger’s full brother.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Precocious BeautyLast Race: 5/9/2024 – Phl – NW1 – 1st (1:49.1) |
KEY PREP RACES
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race
by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands
