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Tuesday, May 30, 2017

ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 2
The Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace – Saturday, July 15




Rank
Horse
Driver, Trainer, Owner
Justin Horowitz’s Comments
1
Downbytheseaside
($766,016 – 1:49.0)

D. Miller, B. Brown
Country Club Acres, Joe Sbrocco, Richard Lombardo, Diamond Creek Racing
 
Absolutely destroyed the field in the Rooney by 3 lengths after getting parked the first 3/8 of a mile. Speed has never been an issue with this guy, his maturity and professionalism continue to impress at 3. After a 3-for-3 start to 2017, he prepares for the NA Cup eliminations on June 3rd.
Last Race: 5/27 – YR –Art Rooney Final– 1st (1:52)
2
Huntsville
($721,097 – 1:49.0)
T. Tetrick, R. Schnittker
Raymond Schnittker, Theodore Gewertz, Charles Iannazzo, Steven Arnold
Did not look his best in his defeat last out to the ultra talented Fear The Dragon. Maybe was feeling the effects of that 10-length sloppy win in 2017 debut. Might be nitpicking here, but the 2YO champ has to show his dominance again in tough PASS split this week
Last Race: 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 2nd
3
Filibuster Hanover
($145,682 – 1:52.0)
Y. Gingras,R. Burke
Burke Racing Stable, Joseph Di Scala, Jr., J&T Silva Stables, Weaver Bruscemi
Drew post 7 in PASS this week at Philadelphia after a win and runner-up finish in first two legs. Will have a much better idea how he matches up with top two after NA Cup. Could be Burke’s best chance this year to win his first Pace
Last Race: 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 2nd
4
Blood Line
($148,660 – 1:50.3)
M. MacDonald, J. Takter
Diamond Creek Racing
Took a new lifetime mark in most recent start when blasting to the front from an outside post and holding off a two-pronged stretch attack from Filibuster Hanover and Boogie Shuffle to win a PASS. Draws into the toughest PASS division this week vs. Huntsville
Last Race: 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 1st (1:50.3)
5
Ocean Colony
($138,950 – 1:50.1)

Y. Gingras, J. Takter
Christina Takter, John Fielding, Hatfield Stables, Marvin Katz, Al Libfeld, Sam Goldband
The second of Takter’s top five duo, this $115,000 Lexington Yearling has started 2017 with back-to-back impressive wins including a PASS. Drew the rail and is 2/1 second choice against Fear The dragon in PASS split this week
Last Race: 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 1st (1:50.3)
6
Miso Fast
($277,954 – 1:52.2Q)
M. Kakaley, R. Burke
Burke Racing Stable, Our Horse Cents Stable, J&T Silva Stables
Had nothing left for the lane after stretching out Downbytheseaside through opening 3/8 and chasing from the pocket. Just his second off-the-board finish in 12 starts on a small track
Last Race: 5/27 – YR – Art Rooney Final – 6th
7
Normandy Beach
($182,763 – 1:51.3)
M. Kakaley, R. Burke
W J Donovan
 
Faces Huntsville, Blood Line and Boogie Shuffle in PASS split this week. On the board in 12 of 15 lifetime starts with just 3 wins. Gives Burke a chance to have 3 in the Pace Final for the second year in a row.
Last Race: 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 3rd
8
Boogie Shuffle
($165,941 – 1:51.4Q)
S. Zeron, M. Harder
Fox Hollow Farm
Drew post 6 in the toughest of 3 divisions of the PASS this week at Philadelphia. Extremely fast and talented, a winter castration will hopefully make him more focused and professional for 2004 Pace winning trainer Mark Harder
Last Race – 5/21 – PcD – PASS – 3rd
9
Air Strike
($126,560 – 1:51.4)
T.B.D., J. Holloway
Val D’Or Farms, Theodore Gewertz
The dead-heat winner of the Kindergarten has yet to race in 2017 despite four qualifiers. The most recent was the best, a win in 1:52.1/26.2. Holloway brought another Indiana sired son of Always A Virgin to the 2014 Pace to finish 2nd – his name was Always B Miki
Last Race: 5/18 – Moh – NW1R – 1st (1:51.4)
10
Beyond Delight
($328,501 – 1:51.0)

S. Filion, T. O’Sullivan
Jeffrey Snyder, Michael Snyder, Four Friends Racing Stable
 
Still not sure what to make of Canada’s 2YO O’Brien winner. His lone 2017 start was okay, but hardly the top class performance it will take to find Pace glory. The Metro winner will have the next 3 weeks at his home track to prove he has taken the step up from 2 to 3
Last Race: 5/22 – Moh – NW4R – 4th