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

Captain Albano

($465,402 – 1:49.2)

T. McCarthy, N. Daley

Patricia 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-Angelou

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – PcD – PaSS – 1^st (1:50.4)

Captain’s Quarters

($396,808 – 1:49.3)

J. Jamieson, H. Holland

Rich 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 Beauty

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO2-4RL – 1^st (1:50.1)

Gem Quality

($473,662 – 1:50)

D. Dunn, C. Ryder

Let 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-Twinkle

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – PcD – PaSS – 1^st (1:51)

Legendary Hanover

($319,904 – 1:48.3)

J. MacDonald, A. Beaton

Eric 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 Hanover

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 1^st (1:48.3)

Better Is Nice

($521,220 – 1:50.3)

A. McCarthy, T. Alagna

Alagna 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-Thatsoveryverynice

Last Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NJSS – 3^rd (1:51.1)

Captain Luke

($335,364 – 1:51)

S. Zeron, T. Alagna

Robert 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 Hanover

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – M1 – NW3 – 2^nd (1:50)

Clever Cody

($415,872 – 1:50.1)

B. McClure, Dr. I. Moore

Clever 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 Go

Last Race: 5/18/2024 – Wbsb – WO4-7RL – 8^th BE (1:51.3)

Funtime Bayama

($238,247 – 1:49.4)

S. Filion, R. Moreau

Bayama 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 Sugrbabydoll

Last Race: 5/11/2024 – Wbsb – Ontario SBOA – 1^st (1:49.4)

9 Mirage Hanover

($173,613 – 1:49.3)

T. Tetrick, J. Leamon

Marvin 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 Seelster

Last Race: 5/11/2024 – M1 – NW10,000 – 1^st (1:49.3)

10 Total Stranger

($88,085 – 1:49)

Y. Gingras, N. Takter

Judith 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 Beauty

Last Race: 5/19/2024 – Phl – NW3 – 1^st (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

Legendary Hanover jumps up in Meadowlands Pace Poll

Larry Lederman Memorial race on Saturday

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