East Rutherford, NJ – Mirage Hanover made a ripple in the water with a scorching final quarter of :24.3 (to tie The Big M record set by Mach N Cheese).

But in this evenly matched group, it was only good enough to bump him up one spot to No. 7 in the 10th and final edition of Dave Little’s weekly Road to The Meadowlands Pace Top 10 harness racing poll. The eliminations for the $650,000 event are Saturday night.

Rank

Horse

(Earnings – Mark)

Driver, Trainer

Owner(s)

Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments

Nijinsky

($529,890 – 1:48.1)

L. Roy, A. Beaton

West Wins Stable,

John D Fielding, Mark B Dumain

(Will race in Pace elimination 2 from post 5) After winning just once in 10 tries a year ago, he is at the top of the division with a win in the Cup and a 5-for-5 record. Beaton: “He’s been very good since the Cup, so we have our fingers crossed. As far as the layoff, I think these horses are so much more like Thoroughbreds now, given the speeds we have to go. I don’t train them overly hard, anyway. Let’s keep the wind in their sail.”

Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette Hanover

Last Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 1^st (1:48.1)

Captain’s Quarters

($594,456 – 1:49.1)

J. Jamieson, H. Holland

Rich P Stiles

(Elim 1, Post 4) Finished second in the Cup. Can he bring home the bacon in the Pace? Holland: “I think we’ll get a good performance Saturday. There are four in there that are very capable of winning the race. The Pace for me is special. I lived [near The Meadowlands] for 20 years. I have family there. It’s a big deal for me.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient Beauty

Last Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 2nd (1:48.2)

Funtime Bayama

($381,948 – 1:49.1)

D. Dunn, A. Harris

William Pollock, Bruce Areman,

Andrew Harris

(Elim 2, Post 6) The newest member of the Andrew Harris barn worked in 1:50.4 Saturday at The Big M. You’ve only had him nine days, is there anything that concerns you? Harris: “I wouldn’t mind being on the front. This horse is a great horse and Dex is a great driver. There’s not a lot to know about him. Keep him sound and happy and let Dex do his thing.”

Breeding: He’s Watching-Tymal Sugrbabydoll

Last Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 3^rd (1:48.3)

Captain Albano

($552,915 – 1:49.2)

T. McCarthy, N. Daley

Patricia Stable,

L A Express & Sjoblom Inc,

Michael E Dolan

(Elim 2, Post 4) The highest-ranked local horse has done nothing wrong in his entire career. Daley: “It would have been nice had it been two weeks since the Cup instead of three, but the Adios is next, so it’s four weeks in a row starting this week, that’s why I didn’t [look for a start]. If he’s alright [after the Pace], that’s what we’ll do.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Angelou

Last Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 4^th (1:48.4)

Legendary Hanover

($377,209 – 1:48.3)

J. MacDonald, A. Beaton

Eric K Good, West Wins Stable,

Mark B Dumain

(Elim 1, Post 3) Completes a powerful pair from the same barn. Beaton: “Kudos to Louis [Roy] for mapping out that trip in the Cup [with Nijinsky]. James gave Legendary a great trip also because he thought he was going to get cover, but it didn’t come. I think [my two horses] are very, very close. On any given day, whichever one gets the trip can win.”

Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian Hanover

Last Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 5^th (1:49)

McCrunch

($39,555 – 1:49)

Y. Gingras, N. Takter

3 Brothers Stable,

Caviart Farms,

Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC

(Elim 2, Post 2) Did not race at 2 but has won 5 of 6 Big M starts this year. McCrunch has only missed two weeks while the top 5 have missed three. Is that an edge? Takter: “I don’t really think so. The others raced a little faster than he did, and have more stakes experience. But he’s a big, strong boy. He’s very confident and comfortable.”

Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibson

Last Race: 6/22/2024 – M1 – NW$14,000 – 2^nd (1:49)

Mirage Hanover

($202,318 – 1:49.1)

T. Tetrick, J. Leamon

Marvin J Rounick

(Elim 1, Post 1) Joined Mach N Cheese as the only horses in the history of The Meadowlands to pace a final quarter in 24.3. Wow! What a win after a perfect pocket trip! Leamon: “When nobody was leaving, Tetrick called an audible. Whatever Timmy decides is fine with me. I just get the horse ready.”

Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem Seelster

Last Race: 6/29/2024 – M1 – 3YO Open – 1^st (1:49.1)

Captain Luke

($361,734 – 1:49.3)

S. Zeron, T. Alagna

Robert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,

Bradley J Grant, Steven Head

(Elim 2, Post 8) Went to the lead, rated the fractions, came home in :24.4 AND STILL GOT BEAT! OK, he lost, but that was a huge try. Alagna: “He raced very well. That was the kind of effort we were looking for heading into Saturday night.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious Hanover

Last Race: 6/29/2024 – M1 – 3YO Open – 2^nd (1:49.1)

Gem Quality

($491,866 – 1:50)

D. Dunn, C. Ryder

Let It Ride Stables Inc,

Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,

Enviro Stables Ltd

(Elim 1, Post 2) Rebounded well off his worst outing of the year (a 5^th in his N.A. Cup elim) with an impressive-looking rally for third. Ryder: “It did not surprise me. The horse has a lot of go. It’s just a matter of when you have good colts, you have to get them in the right spot at the right time.” Do you think people overreacted to his lone bad start? “I’m out of the handicapping department, but, yes, I think that’s a fair assessment.”

Breeding: Captain Crunch-Twinkle

Last Race: 6/29/2024 – M1 – 3YO Open – 3^rd (1:50)

Nuclear

($110,125 – 1:48.4)

A. Miller, J. Holloway

Val D’Or Farms

(Elim 2, Post 1) Finished fourth when up against Nos. 7, 8 and 9. He performed capably but has a tall task ahead in the Pace given that he has but two starts this year. A pocket trip from the rail could be just the right stuff for this one.

Breeding: Always B Miki-Can’tgetenuffofyou

Last Race: 6/29/2024 – M1 – 3YO Open – 4^th (1:50.1)

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands

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