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There’s a new top dog in the Week 9 edition of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll as Abuckabett Hanover is now No. 1 heading into Friday’s Messenger at Yonkers, the final major prep before The Pace. One Eight Hundred now checks in at No. 2 off a superb 1:48 score at The Big M.
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| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s Comments |
1 |
Abuckabett Hanover($255,021 – 1:49.1) |
A. McCarthy, T. AlagnaCrawford Farms Racing,Alagna Racing, Jablonsky HeldStable, Barbera N Wienick Stable |
Vaults to the top spot in the Top 10 off a dominant win in his Messenger Elimination. He does face a tough task, having drawn Post 8 in the half-million-dollar final on Friday night at Yonkers. Alagna: “He’s doing great. He had a little issue in the first turn at Yonkers but only because of the gating pole. He didn’t like it. It would be nice if he didn’t draw the eight hole but he’ll float out of there and should be OK.”
Breeding: Betting Line-All Tucked Up Last Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 1st (1:51.3) |
2 |
One Eight Hundred($106,708 – 1:48) |
T. Tetrick, N. TakterBrixton Medical, Nancy Takter |
Jumps up to No. 2 in the poll off an eye-popping 1:48 win that featured a back half in :52.2 in a field where every other horse was at least 4 years of age. He’s taking this week off. Takter: “I wasn’t surprised that he was able to do that. It didn’t look like he was going very fast. He was never asked. Never popped the plugs. I’m really happy with the situation we are in right now.”
Breeding: Somebeachsomewhere-Economy Terror Last Race: 6/26 – M1 – Non-Winners of $12,500L5 – 1st (1:48) |
3 |
Perfect Sting($629,977 – 1:48.1) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayBrittany Farms,Val D’Or Farms |
Placed 1st at The Meadows after the judges disqualified Rockyroad Hanover after that one outsprinted ‘Sting’ to the wire from the pocket along the inside. Holloway: “Perfect Sting is doing well. I think he bounced a little bit [on Saturday off his Big M win]. No excuses, he just got beat. I’m going to train him this weekend and get ready for next week. He’ll be fine.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-ShebestinginLast Race: 6/26 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd pl 1st (1:49.4) |
4 |
Southwind Gendry($709,841 – Q1:49.3) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,Knox Services, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby |
challenged Perfect Sting from the half to three-quarters but weakened when they turned for home. Finished third but was later put up to second. Drops from No. 1 to No. 4 in the Top 10. He will take the week off. Burke: “He didn’t get the best trip. I just don’t think he’s real sharp right now.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-Gambler’s Passion Last Race: 6/26 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 3rd pl 2nd (1:50.2) |
5 |
American Courage($218,633 – 1:49.4) |
M. Kakaley, T. AlexanderFiddler’s Creek Stables |
Scored impressively in the other Messenger Elimination in 1:50.4. Will leave from Post 6 in the Final. Continues his climb in the poll, as he now sits at No. 5. Alexander: “He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do so far. I think he’s just finally getting into shape. Wait until this horse is race fit.”
Breeding: American Ideal-Nota Fool Bluechip Last Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 1st (1:50.4) |
6 |
Lawless Shadow($260,669 – 1:50) |
B. McClure, I. MooreIan Moore, R G McGroup Ltd,Serge Savard, Frank Cannon |
Took last week off after a monster score the week before at Mohawk. Moore: “He’s had a superb week. We are getting ready to come to New Jersey. I trained him [Tuesday] a mile-and-a-half and he seemed good. He’ll be at Mohawk Saturday in the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold.”
Breeding: Shadow Play-LadycinoLast Race: 6/19 – Wbsb – Non-Winners of $16,500L5 – 1st (1:50.2) |
7 |
Charlie May($378,627 – 1:49.3) |
B. Miller, S. CarterDon Tiger |
Rallied to grab second to American Courage at Yonkers. Will depart from Post 3 in The Messenger Final. Carter: “He’s very sharp right at this moment. He’s overcome sickness and has no quarter-cracks. His feet are good and he’s not sick. And he’s good on a half-mile track.”
Breeding: McArdle-Stipple Hanover Last Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 2nd (1:51) |
8 |
Heart Of Chewbacca($288,848 – 1:48.4) |
D. Noble, R. BurkeDennis Owens,Norman Rae Racing |
Made a big charge at the leader – and eventual winner – American Courage before fizzling out and failing to qualify for the Messenger final. Burke: “It was a disaster of a trip. You’re not going to come first-up against those kind [and do well]. We’ll take the week off and go to The Pace.”
Breeding: Bring On The Beach-JT’s Chewbacca Last Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 7th (1:51.3) |
9 |
Exploit($432,402 – 1:50.3) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaLeBlanc and Kribbs,Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners,Joseph Barbera |
The ‘Bad-Post Blues’ continued for the 2020 Metro winner, as he was never close from Post 7 in his Messenger Elim. He’s drawn Post 6 or 7 in three of his last four outings. Alagna: “He got run into by a breaker the other day, so he gets a week off. He’s on target for The Pace.”
Breeding: Somebeachsomewhere-Time On My HandsLast Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 6th (1:52.3) |
10 |
I’ll Drink To That($123,391 – 1:51) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderCraig Henderson, Lawrence Minowitz,Robert Mondillo, Oompa’s Farm |
Makes his debut in the Top 10 after having kept the entire field – with the exception of Abuckabett Hanover – at bay in his Messenger Elimination. He has wins on his card this year at The Meadowlands, Harrah’s Philadelphia and Buffalo Raceway. Leaves from Post 2 Friday night at YR. Ryder: “He’s a nice handy horse who has some gate speed. He’s done everything right. We’ll see how he handles the big boys.”Breeding: American Ideal-Margarita Monday Last Race: 6/25 – YR – Messenger Elimination – 2nd (1:51.4) |
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 |
| 5/1 | Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Mea
Mea |
LITERL LAD HANOVER
SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
R. Burke
R. Burke |
D. Miller
Y. Gingras |
STONEBRIDGE REEF
CHASE H HANOVER |
Water Sports Teen
Sweet Angel Boy |
1:51.1
1:49.4 |
| 5/8
|
Pa. All-Stars
Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars |
PcD
PcD PcD PcD |
HELLABALOU
Emblaze Hanover Gamblin Mo ONE EIGHT HUNDRED |
E. Dennis
R. Burke J. Butenschoen N. Takter |
A. McCarthy
J. Bongiorno T. Buter T. Tetrick |
Komodo Beach
Crunch Hanover STONEBRIDGE REEF Water Sports Teen |
Six Degrees
RED RIGHT HAND CAPTAINS PLACE Warrawee Whynot |
1:52.1
1:50.2 1:50.1 1:50.1 |
| 5/16
|
Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes |
PcD PcD PcD | EXPLOIT
ABUCKABETT HANOVER ONE EIGHT HUNDRED |
T. Alagna
T. Alagna N. Takter |
J. Bongiorno
A. McCarthy T. Tetrick |
Gamblin Mo
PERFECT STING SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
LITERL LAD HANOVER
RED RIGHT HAND ROCKYROAD HANOVER |
1:50.3
1:50.0 1:50.3 |
| 5/30
|
Pa. Sire Stakes
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Phil
Phil |
ABUCKABETT HANOVER
SOUTHWIND GENDRY |
T. Alagna
R. Burke |
A. McCarthy
Y. Gingras |
Gamblin Mo
HELLABALOU |
RED RIGHT HAND
BILLY CLYDE |
1:51.1
1:51.0 |
| 6/25
|
Messenger Elim.
Messenger Elim. |
YR
YR |
AMERICAN COURAGE
ABUCKABETT HANOVER |
T. Alexander
T. Alagna |
M. Kakaley
A. McCarthy |
CHARLIE MAY
I’LL DRINK TO THAT |
CHASE H HANOVER
HIGHLANDBEACHSBEST |
1:50.4
1:51.3 |
| 6/26 | Pa. Sire Stakes | Mea | PERFECT STING (2P1) | J. Holloway | D. Miller | SOUTHWIND GENDRY (3P2) | Lou’s Pearlman (4P3) | 1:49.4 |
| 7/2 | Messenger Final | YR | ||||||
| 7/10 | Mead. Pace Elim. | M1 | ||||||
| 7/17 | Mead. Pace Final | M1 |
