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. Holloway
Brittany 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. Burke
Burke 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. Burke
Burke 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. Alagna
LeBlanc 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. Carter
Don 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. Takter
Christina 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. Brown
Crossover 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. Moore
Ian 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. Cox
Jason 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. Burke
Dennis 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 |
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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 |
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5/30 |
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Phil |
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6/26 |
Pa. Sire Stakes |
Mea |
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7/2 |
Messenger |
YR |
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7/17 |
Meadowlands Pace |
M1 |
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