Off victories in Hempt eliminations, Proof and Captain Victorious are two new harness racing names in the Week 9 edition of Dave Little's "Road to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace"
The top three of Captain Crunch, Bettor's Wish and Workin Ona Mystery remain intact, as all three take the week off as they continue to prep for the $700,000 event. #Paceyourself19
Rank |
Horse (Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s Comments |
1 |
Captain Crunch($1,050,806 – 1:47.2) |
S. Zeron, N. Johansson3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter, Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms |
Clearly the leader of the 3-year-old colt pacing pack with the North America Cup trophy sitting on his mantle. Will go after the Cup-Pace double when elims are contested at the Big M a week from Saturday. Johansson: “He trained (Wednesday) morning along with Caviart (Rockland) and both were very good. They will train fast Saturday morning and then they should be ready to go.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 1st (1:47.2) |
2 |
Bettor’s Wish($639,556 – 1:49.3) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderChris Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island Farm, Kenneth Solomon |
Came up just short in The Cup. Can he score some revenge on his arch-rival Captain Crunch in the Pace? Ryder: “He’s good. We are going to qualify Saturday morning at the Meadowlands.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 2nd (1:47.3) |
3 |
Workin Ona Mystery($258,567 – 1:49) |
T. Tetrick, B. BrownDiamond Creek Racing, Stambaugh Leeman Stable, Alan Keith, Wingfield Brothers |
The 7-5 NA Cup favorite reached three-quarters on the point in 1:20 before settling for third. The Pace will feature a rematch of the division’s Big Three. Brown: “He went a big mile in the North America Cup but I don’t think there will be any repercussions for The Pace. He’ll train on Friday or Saturday.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 3rd (1:47.3) |
4 |
Best In Show($96,163 – 1:50.3)
|
B. McClure, L. ToscanoRichard P Young, Joanne Young,Craig W Henderson |
Still inexperienced sort is headed for some Ontario Sire Stakes Gold action Saturday before returning to New Jersey to give The Pace a go. Toscano: “He’s good. I don’t love my draw (post 8) for Saturday (in the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold) but we decided to race instead of stay at the Meadowlands and qualify. If he can’t go with the sire stake horses, then he doesn’t belong with the others (in The Pace).”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 6th (1:48.2) |
5 |
Air Force Hanover($215,888 – 1:50.1) |
D. Dunn, B. BrownCountry Club Acres Inc.,Joe Sbrocco, Richard M Lombardo,W J Donovan |
Showed early speed before yielding and staying at the rail the rest of the way to get second in his Hempt Elim. Brown: “I’m very happy with him but he’s not quite as good as some of the other horses. I don’t think he’s coming to The Pace. We are looking more towards the Adios.”Last Race: 6/22 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 2nd (1:49.1) |
6 |
Proof($476,299 – 1:48.1) |
D. Miller, B. BrownDiamond Creek Racing |
Reappears in the Top 10 after several weeks away off an impressive 1:48.1 score in his Hempt Elimination as the 4-5 favorite. Brown: “The week of training he had before that race was the best of his life. He was unbelievable last week. We’ll decide after the Hempt what we will do next, but I’m leaning towards the Meadowlands Pace.”Last Race: 6/22 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 1st (1:48.1) |
7 |
Hurrikane Emperor($331,650 – 1:49.3) |
D. Dube, J. McDermottJonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing, Pegasis Investment Group, William Garofalo |
Sat the pocket throughout behind Captain Victorious’ improbably incredible mile in a Hempt Elim as the 3-2 public choice. McDermott: “His earplugs never got pulled. We accomplished what we needed to (by making it to the final). He scoped a little sick, so he’s been on anti-biotics and I expect him to be better on Saturday.”Last Race: 6/22 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 2nd (1:49) |
8 |
Captain Victorious($180,271 – 1:48.3) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeThe Captain V Stable |
If you did not see his mile in the Hempt, do yourself a favor and check it out. He was hounded every step of the way on the lead and won in decisive fashion to earn a spot in the Top 10 for the first time. Unbelievable! Burke: “I wasn’t that surprised at how good he was. I was more surprised at how bad he was the start before (in the NA Cup). As for last week, when the track at Pocono is like it was, you can go far on the lead.”Last Race: 6/22 – PcD – Hempt Elimination – 1st (1:48.3) |
9 |
De Los Cielos Deo($217,758 – 1:48.4Q) |
D. Miller, R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC,Lawrence R Karr, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi LLC
|
Was sent to the gate as the 3-1 second choice in the wagering, but did not live up to that billing, finishing seventh in The Cup. Burke: “I still think he’s the best colt I have. I think being off for two weeks is good for him. After the (1:48.4) qualifier followed by the big mile in his NA Cup Elim followed by the disaster in the final, he needs some time to recoup.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 7th (1:49.3) |
10 |
Caviart Rockland($93,265 – 1:50.3) |
Y. Gingras, N. JohanssonCaviart Farms |
Finished second in a nice try in the NA Cup Consolation after pacing home in :27. Johansson: “If it sets up well and he gets a trip, he always closes very well, I think he has a legitimate shot to get a check in The Pace. It’s better for me to have them (Caviart Rockland and Captain Crunch) on two separate avenues as we get further into the season. Hopeflly, Caviart can get into the Millstein and races like that.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Consolation – 2nd (1:49.1) |
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 |
5/4 |
Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes |
Mea Mea Mea |
Southwind Ozzi WORKIN ONA MYSTERY LOVE ME SOME LOU |
B. Mac Kenzie B. Brown T. Cancelliere |
T. Tetrick T. Tetrick D. Miller |
PROOF Wild Wild Western Brassy Hanover |
Prince Of Tides Captain Malicious CAPTAIN VICTORIOUS |
1:50.4 1:50.1 1:50.4 |
5/11 |
Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars Pa. All-Stars |
PcD PcD PcD |
BLOOD MONEY Branquinho AIR FORCE HANOVER |
N. Johansson R. Schnittker B. Brown |
S. Zeron T. Buter G. Napolitano, Jr. |
ESCAPETOTHEBEACH LYONS NIGHT HAWK Highlandbeachlover |
Brassy Hanover Warrawee Unique SUGAR FACTORY |
1:50 1:50.1 1:50.1 |
5/13 |
NY Sire Stakes NY Sire Stakes NY Sire Stakes |
MR MR MR |
Hickfromfrenchlick Major March Rollwithpapajoe |
R. Schnittker L. Toscano J. Bongiorno |
M. MacDonald J. Bartlett T. Buter |
American Mercury Major Blake REIGNING DEO |
Stone Hanover Astaire Covered Bridge |
1:55 1:55 1:56 |
5/17 |
NJ Sire Stakes |
M1 |
HURRIKANE EMPEROR |
J. McDermott |
D. Dube |
Clintock |
Black Dan |
1:53.2 |
5/18 |
Art Rooney Elim. Art Rooney Elim. |
YR YR |
AIR FORCE HANOVER BETTOR’S WISH |
B. Brown C. Ryder |
D. Miller D. Dunn |
BUDDY HILL BLOOD MONEY |
PRICE HANOVER Rollwithpapajoe |
1:52.4 1:53.2 |
5/19 |
Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes Pa. Sire Stakes |
PcD PcD PcD |
Wild Wild Western CAPTAIN CRUNCH WORKIN ONA MYSTERY |
N. Parker N. Johansson B. Brown |
M. Wilder S. Zeron T. Tetrick |
CAVIART STETSON Southwind Ozzi LOVE ME SOME LOU |
SEMI TOUGH PROOF Highlandbeachlover |
1:52 1:49.1 1:49.3 |
5/24 |
NJ Sire Stakes |
M1 |
HURRIKANE EMPEROR |
J. McDermott |
D. Dube |
Black Dan |
Clintock |
1:52 |
5/25 |
Art Rooney Final |
YR |
BETTOR’S WISH |
C. Ryder |
D. Dunn |