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East Rutherford, NJ – The top four spots in Week 7 of harness racing pundit Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” are unchanged, but vaulting back into the poll at No. 5 was Heart Of Chewbacca, while, at No. 9, is a newcomer in American Courage. Winterbook Pace favorite Perfect Sting will be in action Saturday night at The Big M, as will three others in the Top 10. For everything Pace visit MeadowlandsPace.com.
| Rnk | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s Comments |
1 |
Southwind Gendry($672,758 – 1:49.4) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,Knox Services, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby |
Son of Always B Miki will qualify at The Meadowlands Saturday morning. Burke: “I wanted to race but did not want to go up against older horses. I just want him to be happy, race from the back and finish well. We’ll be at The Meadows for the Sire Stakes on the 26th.”
Last Race: 5/30 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:51) |
2 |
Abuckabett Hanover($235,021 – 1:49.1) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaCrawford Farms Racing,Alagna Racing, Jablonsky HeldStable, Barbera N Wienick Stable |
son of Betting Line will train at Yonkers today, then his trainer will determine what’s next. Alagna: “If we are happy with the way he gets around the track, he’ll go in The Messenger [Eliminations] on the 25th.” Does racing in The Messenger put his Meadowlands Pace bid at risk? “Everything’s a risk,” said Alagna. “You just have to make the best, informed decisions you can.”
Last Race: 5/30 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:51.1) |
3 |
Perfect Sting($547,061 – Q1:48.4) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayBrittany Farms,Val D’Or Farms |
The winter-book Pace favorite will make his second start of the season Saturday at The Big M, facing older foes in the 11th race from post 5. “If I had my druthers,” said Holloway, “I’d go up against 3-year-olds. Against older horses, you have to give a bit more. But he’s in it to win it.” A week from Saturday, the son of Always B Miki will be at The Meadows for the Sire Stakes.
Last Race: 6/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:48.4) |
4 |
Exploit($432,402 – 1:50.3) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaLeBlanc and Kribbs,Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners,Joseph Barbera |
Looked good beating older foes in wire-to-wire fashion at Yonkers. “He raced well. That was a big mile from post 7,” said Alagna of the son of Somebeachsomewhere. “The plan is to go to The Messenger [on the 25th]. Everything is good with him.”
Last Race: 6/15 – YR – Non-Winners of 6 – 1st (1:53.2) |
5 |
Heart Of Chewbacca($276,348 – 1:48.4) |
D. Noble, R. BurkeDennis Owens,Norman Rae Racing |
Rocked the clock at Scioto to the tune of 1:48.4 to vault back into the Top 10 at No. 5. His trainer has always believed in this son of Bring On The Beach. Burke: “I knew he was good. It’s not the time. It’s how he did it. Ear plugs in, wrapped up. That’s a 1:47 mile at The Meadowlands. It’s possible he could be better than my other two.” Next up is The Messenger.
Last Race: 6/12 – ScD – Non-winners of $8,000 – 1st (1:48.4) |
6 |
One Eight Hundred($82,958 – 1:50.1) |
T. Tetrick, N. TakterBrixton Medical, Nancy Takter |
The Somebeachsomewhere product is in at The Meadowlands in the 7th race from post 5 Saturday night. Takter: “I trained him a fast half at the farm and everything is good with him. He hasn’t been around The Meadowlands in quite a while. I want to see how he races this weekend before considering what we will do after that. I don’t race my horses just to race them. I want them to peak at the right time.”
Last Race: 5/30 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 4th (1:52) |
7 |
Summa Cum Laude($488,445 – 1:50.2) |
D. Dunn, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby,Weaver Bruscemi |
The son of Somebeachsomewhere qualified a week ago Saturday and will be seen next this Saturday at The Big M in the 7th race from post 7. Doesn’t have all that much on his card this year to brag about, but that’s the situation with a handful in this division, given the pandemic pitfalls. Burke: “We’re looking for a good race. We want to get a feel for where’s he at. I think he’s getting better but I’m glad I have a couple more weeks [to prepare for The Pace].”
Last Race: 6/5 – M1 – Qualifier – 3rd (1:49.2) |
8 |
Always A Miki($349,911 – 1:50.2) |
D. Dunn, N. TakterChristina Takter, Goran Anderberg,Herb Liverman, Rojan Stables |
the son of Always B Miki is gaining momentum after upping his win streak to two with a two-move conquest of older Philly foes after making the lead at the half, yielding, then coming back for more at the wire. Takter: “He really raced well last week. Yannick cleared him on the backside. He’s got that dog fight in him. He’s heading for The Messenger.”Last Race: 6/13 – Phl – Winners of 5 but not 7 – 1st (1:50.4) |
9 |
American Courage($198,633 – 1:49.4) |
M. Kakaley, T. AlexanderFiddler’s Creek Stables |
Makes his debut in The Road on the strength of a sub-1:50 win in the Poconos and a lifetime record of nine wins from just 10 starts. Has 2 wins in 2 starts this year, including a speed score in The Reynolds at Yonkers. His trainer is understandably upbeat when speaking of his son of American Ideal. Alexander: “He’s come back this year very well. But this year has been tough, the pandemic totally screwed up everybody’s schedule. But my horse is good on any size track, so The Messenger will be next for us.”
Last Race: 6/12 – PcD – Non-winners of $12,500L5 – 1st (1:49.4) |
10 |
Hellabalou($68,886 – 1:51.1) |
A. McCarthy, E. DennisEric Good |
Sweet Lou product got the worst of the draw Saturday at The Meadowlands, leaving from post 10 in the 7th race. So what is his trainer hoping for? Dennis: “It’s a shame we got the 10 hole. Positioning will make a big difference. I’m hoping that he paces in better than 1:50 and is flying through the lane. Next week, we’ll head for the Sire Stakes at The Meadows.”
Last Race: 5/30 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:51.3) |
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 |
| 6/26 | Pa. Sire Stakes | Mea | ||||||
| 7/2 | Messenger | YR | ||||||
| 7/17 | Meadowlands Pace | M1 |
From Meadowlands Racetrack
