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East Rutherford, NJ – There is one new name in the second weekly harness racing edition of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 Poll, as Clever Cody debuts at No. 7 off a sparkling outing at Miami Valley Raceway.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 2 (of 10) – Thursday, May 9
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 |
Finished sixth and last in his Meadowlands qualifier Friday morning. Time to hit the panic button? Daley: “I was OK with it. It was his first week. We’ll obviously look to do a lot more this [Friday in a Meadowlands qualifier].” Daley prefers a more patient approach. “There’s plenty of guys who train in [1]:53 or [1]:54 and have success. I don’t do it that way.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 5/3/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 6th (1:55) |
| 2 |
Better Is Nice($517,620 – 1:50.3) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc,Birnam Wood Farms |
Rallied well to finish second to Pace ineligible Arbitrage Hanover in what was a solid effort in his first start of the season Saturday. Alagna: “I was really happy with him. We were working on a foot issue and got it resolved. He’s got the second leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes Saturday night.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Wish-ThatsoveryveryniceLast Race: 5/4/2024 – M1 – NJSS – 2nd (1:52) |
| 3 |
Captain’s Quarters($389,143 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Qualified well at Mohawk in his second outing of the year. The first did not go very well. Holland: “If you don’t hook wheels, it makes a big difference. [In Monday’s qualifier] he was awesome. Ear plugs in, and was never asked to go. We’ll take a week off and race in an overnight on the 18th. I don’t want to be too hard on him. I’m looking toward September and October.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 5/6/2024 – Wbsb – Qualifier – 1st (1:53) |
| 4 |
Captain Luke($332,109 – 1:51) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
Scratched out of his qualifier last week due to some bloodwork that wasn’t quite right. Alagna: “All good. He had room in his schedule to skip last week. This Friday will be his second qualifier. After that, we’ll look for an overnight at The Meadowlands. With only two wins, he’s got some room on his card so we should be able to find something.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 4/20/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52) |
| 5 |
Gem Quality($438,940 – 1:50)
|
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Came from just off the pace to take his second consecutive “Q.” Races Saturday in The Poconos. Ryder: “All good. The horse seems right on target. We’ll head for the Somebeachsomewhere. It’s exactly where we wanted to be, having three or four starts before the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 5/3/2024 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.4) |
| 6 |
Legendary Hanover($303,114 – 1:50) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Paced his back half in :53.2 to win his second qualifier last Friday at Mohawk. Beaton: “He was super. He did it so easily. [Driver] James [MacDonald] said he was unbelievable. We’re going to face older Saturday at Mohawk. We’d have liked a 3YO open, but there’s not enough of them around here right now.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 5/3/2024 – Wbsb – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.4) |
| 7 |
Clever Cody($415,872 – 1:50.1) |
A. Merriman, Dr. I. MooreClever Cody Stable |
OK, it’s early in the season, but Clever Cody gets into the Top 10 off a win in the Ohio Sire Stakes that was the best effort I’ve seen thus far in the 3YO male pacing division. Were you surprised at how good he was, Doc Moore? “I was not amazed. We have a lot of anticipation for him. I was very pleased. If they let me in that winners-of-4 non-winners-of-7 at Mohawk next Saturday, that’ll give me two weeks to prep for the June 1 Somebeachsomewhere. If not, we’ll find a race in Ohio.”
Breeding: The Panderosa-Cams Van GoLast Race: 5/4/2024 – MVR – OHSS – 1st (1:50.1) |
| 8 |
Newsroom($247,565 – 1:49.4) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms |
His first appearance of the season comes Friday when he takes on Captain Albano and Captain Luke in a Big M qualifier. Holloway: “The goal is to get around the track, finish strong and go a decent mile.” With 7 wins on his card, it’s possible this one’s first race will be the Somebeachsomewhere.
Breeding: Always B Miki-Well Hello ThereLast Race: 11/25/2023 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 7th (1:52.2) |
9 |
Boston Rocks($357,922 – 1:53.4) |
T. Miller, S. ElliottPeter R Blood, Rick Berks |
Made a big move to take command on the way to three-quarters at Tioga before going on to a dominant score in a soft spot. Elliott: “We’re going to give him the week off, then race again next week to get ready for the [New York] Sire Stakes at Saratoga at the end of the month.”
Breeding: Boston Red Rocks-Scirocco SarahLast Race: 5/4/2024 – TgDn – NW6 – 1st (1:53.4) |
10 |
McCrunch($21,360 – 1:50.3) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
Last raced on April 27, but having already raced four times this year after being unraced at 2, a week off was likely a good thing. Takter: “I trained him [Wednesday] and was very happy. [The PA All-Stars on Saturday at Pocono] is a good spot for him. I’m happy with his progression.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 4/27/2024 – M1 – NW2 – 1st (1:50.3) |
KEY PREP RACES
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race
by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands
