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East Rutherford, NJ – He didn’t need a Figure-Four Leg Lock or a Stone-Cold Stunner to do it, but on pure pacing power, Captain Albano has grabbed the top spot in the first edition of Dave Little’s Road to The Meadowlands Pace weekly Top 10 poll.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 1 (of 10) – Thursday, May 2
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
|
Last year, finished second to Gem Quality in the Breeders Crown as the 2-5 favorite; took his mark of 1:49.2 in the Bluegrass at The Red Mile. Will make his first appearance of 2024 Friday in a Big M qualifier. Daley: “We’re just going to follow along there. Looking to qualify from off the pace. Just let him run home, then, next week, be a little bit more aggressive.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 10/27/2023 – HoP – Breeders Crown Final – 2nd (1:50.1)—DONE |
| 2 |
Better Is Nice($510,120 – 1:50.3) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc,Birnam Wood Farms |
During 2023, took mark of 1:50.3 in the KySS final at The Red Mile; won the NJSS final in 1:50.4 at The Big M. Shows two qualifiers on his card thus far in 2024, and makes his first parimutuel start Saturday at The Big M. Alagna: “He wasn’t as sharp in his second qualifier but had a little bit of a foot issue. I think he can go with the best colts when he’s on his game.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Wish-ThatsoveryveryniceLast Race: 4/27/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:53.2)—QUOTES? |
| 3 |
Captain’s Quarters($389,143 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Won the 2023 edition of the $717,800 Metro at Mohawk in his lifetime best of 1:49.3. Holland: “There was nothing positive about [his April 29 qualifier]. My driver hooked wheels. We’ll qualify again Monday. He still qualifies for nw2, so I’ll try to get him that race around the 15th of the month.” What else? “I think this is the best colt in North America.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 4/29/2024 – Wbsb – Qualifier – 6th (2:02.2)—DONE |
| 4 |
Captain Luke($332,109 – 1:51) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
recorded his two wins of 2023 in his last two starts after Lasix was added; won the Governor’s Cup elim, and then the Governor’s Cup final. Alagna: “He was lights out in his first qualifier. We’ll play things by ear after [Friday’s] qualifier. Generally, With a Captaintreacherous, you get a good 3-year-old.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 4/20/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52)—QUOTES? |
| 5 |
Gem Quality($438,940 – 1:50)
|
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
2023 Breeders Crown champion also won a leg of the PaSS before finishing 5th in the final. Ryder: “He’s feeling good, training well. We are where we think we should be. [In Friday’s qualifier] we want him to finish up strong, and look as good as he did last week.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 4/27/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.1)—DONE |
| 6
|
Legendary Hanover($303,114 – 1:50) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
finished second to Captain’s Quarters in the Metro as the even-money public choice; opened 2023 with six consecutive wins; 2nd in the Metro, then 2nd in his Breeders Crown elimination before a 9th-place finish in the final to finish his year. Beaton: “We were very happy with his [April 26] qualifier. They went slow up front. The main thing was to let him get around and do things properly. He’s a very professional horse.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 4/26/2024 – Wbsb – Qualifier – 5th (1:54.2)—DONE |
| 7 |
Storm Shadow($299,160 – 1:51.1) |
B. McClure, Dr. I. MooreR G McGroup Ltd, Serge A Savard,Mac T Nichol, Bolton Stables |
Won the 2023 Ontario Sire Stakes final on Oct. 13; followed that up with a Breeders Crown elimination score before finishing third in the final. Moore: “I am planning om training him [Thursday]. He didn’t change his stature a whole lot over the winter. We have high hopes for him.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-FadeLast Race: 4/19/2024 – SOTC – Qualifier – 1st (1:51.3)—DONE |
| 8 |
Newsroom($247,565 – 1:49.4) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms |
Reeled off six straight wins to start his 2YO season, which included victories in the New Jersey Classic at The Big M and Elevation at Hoosier. Holloway: “We’ll look to qualify in two weeks and his first start will be in the Somebeachsomewhere. He wintered very well.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-Well Hello ThereLast Race: 11/25/2023 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 7th (1:52.2)—DONE |
9 |
Boston Rocks($352,922 – 1:54.1) |
T. Miller, S. ElliottPeter R Blood, Rick Berks |
won the $225,000 NYSS final at Yonkers on Sept. 9 last year before missing a neck in two straight stakes events at The Red Mile; all 2023 wins came on half-mile tracks in New York. He’s in at Tioga Saturday. Elliott: “He’s great-gaited and loves to go and never has a bad day. He grew and filled out from 2 to 3, and is blessed with speed and manners.”
Breeding: Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco SarahLast Race: 4/5/2024 – SGR – Qualifier – 1st (1:55.1)—DONE |
10 |
McCrunch($21,360 – 1:50.3) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
Unraced at 2, but looks like he’s on his way with three wins under his belt already this year at The Big M. Takter: “He didn’t race as a 2-year-old because he was a very big colt who was very immature. He’s a June foal, so, technically, he’s not even 3 yet. He’s still learning how to race.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 4/27/2024 – M1 – NW2 – 1st (1:50.3)—DONE |
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 |
| 5/4 | PaSS | Mea | ||||||
| 5/4 | NJSS | M1 | ||||||
| 5/11 | Pa All-Stars | PcD | ||||||
| 5/11 | NJSS | M1 | ||||||
| 5/18 | PaSS | PcD | ||||||
| 5/25 | NJSS Final | M1 | ||||||
| 5/26 | PaSS | Phl | ||||||
| 5/26 | NYSS | Stga | ||||||
| 6/1 | Somebchsomewhere | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/5 | NYSS | BR | ||||||
| 6/8 | N.A. Cup eliminations | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/14 | NYSS | VD | ||||||
| 6/15 | N.A. Cup final | Wbsb | ||||||
| 621 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/28 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 7/6 | Meadowlands Pace elims | M1 | ||||||
| 7/13 | Meadowlands Pace Final | M1 |
by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands
