East Rutherford, NJ – Perfect Sting is predictably perched atop the first edition of Dave Little’s weekly “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” after a 2-year-old season that saw him go undefeated in 10 starts.
Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s Comments |
1 |
Perfect Sting($534,300 – 1:49.2) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayBrittany Farms,Val D’Or Farms |
Holloway student comes into 2021 with a target on his back after a season that saw him go perfect in 10 starts at 2. Has a pair of Meadowlands qualifiers under his belt with his first race set for May 16 in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Holloway: “He’s as good as can be. I’m thrilled at the way he’s come back.”
LAST RACE: 4/30 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.3) |
2 |
Southwind Gendry($621,633 – 1:49.4) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,Knox Services, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby |
His 3-year-old debut was a smashing success, taking a division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes in a lifetime-best 1:49.4. Burke: “Couldn’t be happier with him. In reality, he’s been incredible. You don’t win in 1:49.4 wrapped up like that. that’s what good horses do. that’s a 1:47 mile in the summer.”
Last Race: 5/1 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:49.4) |
3 |
Summa Cum Laude($488,445 – 1:50.2) |
D. Dunn, R. BurkeBurke Racing, Phillip Collura,J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby,Weaver Bruscemi |
Ended his 2-year-old season on a high note, finishing in a dead heat with Perfect Sting in the Breeders Crown and winning the Kindergarten Classic before finishing third in the Governor’s Cup. Began his sophomore season with a fourth to Southwind Gendry at The Meadows. Burke: “He and Southwind Gendry will be in next week at Philadelphia. He’s a mile-track horse. It’s a tossup between the two of them on a mile track.”
Last Race: 5/1 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 4th (1:50.3) |
4 |
Exploit($389,470 – 1:50.4) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaLeBlanc and Kribbs,Joe Sbrocco, In The Gym Partners,Joseph Barbera |
Pulled off a 35-1 surprise in the 2020 Metro at Woodbine Mohawk Park to pad his bankroll. Has a pair of Big M qualifiers in preparation for his 3-year-old season. Leaves from post 7 in the first race at The Big M Saturday in his 2021 debut. Alagna: “We’re looking for a good start, hoping everything sets up for him. Then, we’ll go in the Sire Stakes next week at Pocono. Everything is going according to plan.”
Last Race: 4/30 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:53.3) |
5 |
Charlie May($340,127 – 1:50.2) |
B. Miller, S. CarterDon Tiger |
Ohio Sire Stakes champion won 7 of 9 starts a year ago and took his last two starts at odds of 1-20. Already has two qualifiers and three parimutuel starts under his belt this year. Carter: “He was sick on Monday [when fourth at Miami Valley]. My whole barn was sick. By the end of last year, Brett Miller told me Charlie is the caliber of horse who can go in The Meadowlands Pace.”Last Race: 5/3 – MVR – Ohio Sire Stakes – 4th (1:52.3) |
6 |
Always A Miki($331,261 – 1:50.2) |
D. Dunn, N. TakterChristina Takter, Goran Anderberg,Herb Liverman, Rojan Stables |
The 2020 Governor’s Cup winner also did good things throughout the season on the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes circuit. Shows two qualifiers thus far this year. Takter: “I think he was pretty solid last year. He filled out and he loves to race. He’s drawn post 9 Saturday at Pocono [for his seasonal debut] for the Pennsylvania All-Stars, not an ideal spot given how speedy it is at Pocono.”
Last Race: 4/24 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:52) |
7 |
Bayfield Beach($267,626 – 1:52.4) |
D. Miller, B. BrownCrossover Racing,Country Club Acres,Rich Lombardo Racing, Joe Sbrocco |
Missed cashing a check only twice a year ago from 13 starts. Got nailed on the money, settling for second in the 2020 Metro. Already has a pair of starts this year for Brown, who had a powerhouse pair of horses in 2017 with Downbytheseaside and Fear The Dragon. Brown: “He hasn’t been impressive yet. We started in the The Stallion Stakes last week just to give him an easier race. He’s right back in Friday [Race 1, Post 5 at The Meadows]. I expect him to be sharper this week.”
Last Race: 5/1 – Mea – Pennsylvania Stallion Series – 3rd (1:52.3) |
8 |
Lawless Shadow($232,439 – Q1:51) |
B. McClure, I. MooreIan Moore, R G McGroup,Serge Savard, Frank Cannon |
Solid performer in Ontario a year ago was second in the Ontario Sire Stakes Final and third in The Metro in his final two outings of the year. Leaves from post 2 in race 2 Saturday at Scioto for his first outing of the year. Moore: “I’m very excited about him. He has filled out so well. I see maybe two starts in Ohio, then, come the 1st of June, if nothing is happening in Canada, we’ll head for The Meadowlands.”
Last Race: 4/23 – SOTC – Qualifier – 1st (1:51) |
9 |
Chase H Hanover($245,079 – 1:51) |
B. Sears, S. CoxJason Ash, Scott Cox |
Racked up 4 wins and 5 seconds from 10 starts a year ago, highlighted by a win in a six-figure division of the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes. Started his 2021 well, with a second-place finish to Southwind Gendry. Cox: “He’s gotten bigger over the last year. He’s a laid-back horse, and that’s what I like the most. I think he’ll be in the Sire Stakes a week from Sunday at Pocono.”Last Race: 5/1 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:50) |
10 |
Heart Of Chewbacca($269,348 – 1:51) |
D. Noble, R. BurkeDennis Owens, Norman Rae Racing |
Has registered 8 wins and 3 seconds from 11 lifetime starts. Ohio standout has won three in a row at Miami Valley, the most recent by 7¼ lengths at odds of 1-20. Burke: “He’s as good as either of my other ones. He does things other horses cannot do. I think this horse is special.”
Last Race: 5/3 – MVR – Ohio Sire Stakes – 1st (1:51.2) |
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 |
PcD |
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5/16 | Pa. Sire Stakes |
PcD |
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5/28 | N.J. Sire Stakes | M1 | ||||||
5/30 | Pa. Sire Stakes | Phil | ||||||
6/26 | Pa. Sire Stakes |
Mea |
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7/2 | Messenger |
YR |
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7/17 | Meadowlands Pace |
M1 |