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East Rutherford, NJ – Legendary Hanover’s sensational season’s best for harness racing 3-year-old’s of 1:48.3 last Saturday moved him to No. 4 in the fourth edition of Dave Little’s Road to The Meadowlands Pace weekly Top 10 poll. He might have moved even higher, but that would have been tough to do since the top three all won as well.
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Captain Albano($465,402 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
His first outing of the year was a successful off-the-pace score in The Poconos last week. Daley: “We have been super lucky. We got a live cover trip in his win and have been fortunate that things have fallen into place. We are a little behind schedule, but we are willing to be a little underdone in the first few starts. His next start is Sunday at Chester.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 5/18/2024 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:50.4) |
| 2 |
Captain’s Quarters($396,808 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Another who was a winner last week in his first outing of the season. Holland: “I would have liked to get that first qualifier [when he locked wheels], but I guess we’ll have to take what we have. He was very good Saturday. he wasn’t under any urging. It was a good mile. We needed to get that mile into him. The Somebeachsomewhere will be next on June 1.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO2-4RL – 1st (1:50.1) |
| 3 |
Gem Quality($473,662 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Made it 2-for-2 this season after another impressive score at Pocono Downs. Ryder: “Obviously, we had a little situation when he got rough nearing the wire the week before [last]. Dexter had to steady him. It was a little mystifying. He finished up the mile well in his last start. I was very pleased. My driver did a terrific job. We are going to Chester on Sunday.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 5/18/2024 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:51) |
| 4 |
Legendary Hanover($319,904 – 1:48.3) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Everybody who saw the 1:48.3 mile said “Wow!” Did you say wow, Tony? Beaton: “Pretty much, I did. He was exceptional. We were very, very impressed and he came out of the race well. I hope we don’t have to keep going faster but if we have to, he’s ready for it. He’s handled everything exceptionally so far.” Next up: The Somebeachsomewhere.
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 1st (1:48.3) |
| 5 |
Better Is Nice($521,220 – 1:50.3) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc,Birnam Wood Farms |
Running a tad short on friends who like to bet, having now gone down as the 3-5 and 1-5 favorite, respectively, in his first two outings of the year. But, he raced OK in both, tasting defeat at the hands of the Brett Pelling Pace-ineligible Arbitrage Hanover each time. Alagna: “He had the week off after he bled and will make his first start on Lasix this Saturday in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final at The Meadowlands.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Wish-ThatsoveryveryniceLast Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NJSS – 3rd (1:51.1) |
| 6 |
Captain Luke($335,364 – 1:51) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
Finished second to McCrunch when that one stopped the clock in 1:49.4. Alagna: “He had a great first start. It turned into a sprint. Scott was very happy with him. He’s in an overnight on Saturday at The Meadowlands.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 5/18/2024 – M1 – NW3 – 2nd (1:50) |
| 7 |
Clever Cody($415,872 – 1:50.1) |
B. McClure, Dr. I. MooreClever Cody Stable |
His second start did not go well. He had broken equipment, which resulted in a refund. What happened, Doc? Moore: “I was very disappointed. He was all fired up in the paddock. I warmed him up twice. He was difficult to handle. He has bad manners behind the gate. His split Martingale broke underneath him. I’m going to train him as fast as he can go Saturday at Mohawk, then it’s on to Ohio and the sire stakes the following week.”
Breeding: The Panderosa-Cams Van GoLast Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 8th BE (1:51.3) |
| 8 |
Funtime Bayama($238,247 – 1:49.4) |
S. Filion, R. MoreauBayama Farms Inc |
Took last week off after a dazzling win the week before. Filion: “He is doing super and is in Ontario Sire Stakes Gold on Saturday at Mohawk.” What makes this horse so special? “I have not seen him get tired so far this year.”
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 |
His late explosive pace to win his first start of the year impressed all who saw it. Leamon: “He had a light week. We’re trying to keep him fit and sharp. He’s in the 9th race Saturday at The Meadowlands, facing older horses. There was a 3-year-old Open, but it didn’t fill.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NW10,000 – 1st (1:49.3) |
10 |
Total Stranger($88,085 – 1:49) |
Y. Gingras, N. TakterJudith S Taylor,Caviart Farms,Chuck Pompey |
Followed up his maiden-breaking 1:49.1 speed-show score with another fabulous front-end frolic in 1:49. Takter: “I actually think he was a bit better last week than the week before. I thought he looked more comfortable, more manageable. Now, he actually knows he’s supposed to win. He will not race again until the North America Cup eliminations.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Precocious BeautyLast Race: 5/19/2024 – Phl – NW3 – 1st (1:49) |
KEY PREP RACES
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race
by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands
