Captain Crunch has vaulted back to the top harness racing spot in Week 8 of Dave Little's "Road to the Crawford Farns Meadowlands Pace" after his stunning 1:47.2 score in the North America Cup.
The "Big Three" of Crunch, Bettor's Wish and Workin Ona Mystery will all skip the Max Hempt to prepare for The Pace.
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 |
Rebounded in a big way in the North America Cup Final after jumping a shadow the week before in his elimination, scoring impressively after leaving the gate, coming after favorite Workin Ona Mystery, then holding off Bettor’s Wish in a dazzling performance. Johansson: “I don’t think he’s ever come alongside a horse and not won. The mile did not take a lot out of him. After the race, he was in the paddock and he felt like he was the King of the World. We are skipping the Hempt to go to the Meadowlands Pace.”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 |
Raced big but came up three-quarters-of-a-length short in his quest to stay unbeaten in five starts this year in a superb NA Cup effort. Ryder: “This horse is usually very relaxed but after the recall he got a little grabby in the race. I’m going to give him an easy week and get ready for the Meadowlands Pace.”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, only his second career defeat in 10 starts. Brown: “He was really good. Tough trip. When you go for a million it ain’t going to be easy. We’ll try it again Meadowlands Pace night.” A rematch of the division’s Big Three is something worth looking forward to.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 |
Came close to getting the final check in The Cup, finishing sixth in 1:48.2 in just his ninth career start. Toscano: “He checked a little bit at the half. He was just getting a full head of steam and then got startled. Every week for this colt has been an education. We’ll go in the (Ontario Sire Stakes) Gold next Saturday then come back for the Meadowlands Pace.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 6th (1:48.2) |
5 |
Air Force Hanover($209,638 – 1:50.1) |
Y. Gingras, B. BrownCountry Club Acres Inc.,Joe Sbrocco, Richard M Lombardo,W J Donovan |
Failed to qualify for the final, finished a respectable third in the consolation as the third choice to Century Farroh. Brown: “He couldn’t get all the way to the wire up there (at Mohawk). He showed some blood. He’s in the Hempt, and hopefully, we can control his bleeding with a higher dose of Lasix.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Consolation – 3rd (1:50) |
6 |
Hurrikane Emperor($325,400 – 1:49.3) |
D. Dube, J. McDermottJonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing, Pegasis Investment Group, William Garofalo |
It was not his night at The ‘Hawk, was never close in The Cup but did kick home in :27.1 – which was the second fastest final quarter in the race – to finish eighth. McDermott: “He just wasn’t comfortable in the NA Cup. He was rough-gaited but had tons of pace late. I’m changing his shoes and he drew well for the Hempt.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 8th (1:49.3) |
7 |
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
|
He was a hot item at the windows, being 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: “Hate to make excuses, but this horse did not do well after the recall. Maybe something scared him. Normally, he would be fine. We’ll skip the Hempt and go to the Meadowlands Pace.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Final – 7th (1:49.3) |
8 |
Buddy Hill($112,431 – 1:52) |
J. Bartlett, M. MelanderTom Hill
|
Makes his first appearance in the Top 10 by registering a sharp win over Reigning Deo in 1:52 at Tioga for just his second lifetime victory. Melander: “We were very happy with him at Tioga. Tough half on a sloppy track. He’ll be at Yonkers next Thursday in the New York Sire Stakes. He’s staked to everything.”Last Race: 6/16 – TgD – New York Sire Stakes – 1st (1:52) |
9 |
Caviart Rockland($93,265 – 1:50.3) |
Y. Gingras, N. JohanssonCaviart Farms |
Breaks into the Top 10 after finishing second in a nice try in the NA Cup Consolation after pacing home in :27. Johansson: “He raced super. Had the roles been reversed (racing from off the pace instead of on the lead) I think he would have gotten there. We have some options to get him a race before The Pace.”Last Race: 6/15 – WMP – North America Cup Consolation – 2nd (1:49.1) |
10 |
Reigning Deo($288,725 – 1:54.1Q) |
A. McCarthy, B. PellingDeo Volente Farms, Pelling Racing, Brian Gordon |
Went a First-over trip on the way to a fourth-place finish in the New York Sire Stakes at Tioga in his last start. Pelling: “He just needs to be better. I need to back off and let him do his thing. He’s a sound, lovely horse but things have to go his way. He’ll race next Thursday at Yonkers.”Last Race: 6/16 – TgD – New York Sire Stakes – 4th (1:52.4) |
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 |
5/4 |
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 |