The Final Dave Little Road to the Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace

A 1:47 mile and a pair of strong supplemental entries have shaken up Dave Little's final Road To The Crawford Farms Meadowlands Pace. 

Rank	Horse	Driver, Trainer, Owner(s)	Dave Little’s Comments
1	American History ($100,243 – 1:47)	Y. Gingras, T. Alagna Brittany Farms, M. Katz, American History Racing	Leaps to the top spot off an amazing 1:47 (the fastest mile in the sport this year) win in a conditioned event at the Big M after having taken the Hempt off. Does not have the resume of some of the others but should be able to trip out once again, having drawn the rail in the second of two Pace Eliminations. Alagna: “(In the 1:47 mile) It was a beautiful night, the track was great, but the time is somewhat irrelevant. It’s about who you beat, and we did beat a nice horse, Hayden Hanover. I don’t know about that (if American History is the horse to beat in the Pace), but he came out of the race great.” Last Race: 6/29 – M1 – NW3/4 – 1st (1:47)
2	Jimmy Freight ($267,189 – 1:49.2)	L. Roy, A. Harris A. Sorella	One of two horses who have been supplemented to the Pace for a little more than $60,000. Tough to argue with owner Adriano Sorella ponying up the freight for this one. He’s lost but twice this year. The first was in his seasonal debut by a nose. The other? He finished third behind OLDER pacing superstars Sintra and McWicked in a 1:48 mile. He’s drawn post 3 in elim 2. Last Race: 6/23 – Wbsb – OnSS Gold – 1st (1:49.2)
3	Stay Hungry ($659,384 – 1:50)	D. McNair, T. Alagna B. Grant, I. Samelman	We still await the starpower type of performances we saw from this colt a year ago. Will one finally come in the Pace? Alagna: “He was used hard the other day (in the Hempt Final). It takes a lot of gas to get in front of these horses.” Can you take it easy in the elim and save fuel for the final? “I’ve seen horses sit back in these races and get eliminated when the fractions are too soft, so you have to be careful.” He’ll depart from post 6 in elim 1. Last Race: 6/30 – PcD – Hempt Final – 4th (1:48.3)
4	Dorsoduro Hanover ($197,668 – 1:49.4)	M. Kakaley, R. Burke Burke Racing, Silva, Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi, Wingfield Five	Was on the point through some blistering fractions in the Hempt. Burke: “We were trying to make sure Lather Up had to earn his way to the front, next thing we know, we go the half in :53. We’re adding Lasix this week. He did not gush blood but there was enough that Lasix should help.” Has drawn post 8 in elim 2. Last Race: 6/30 – PcD – Hempt Final – 5th (1:48.4)
5	Courtly Choice ($148,596 – 1:48.4)	D. Miller, B. MacIntosh Huff Racing Stbl, Mac & Heim Stbl, D. Plouffe, Touch Stone Farms	The other supplement to the Pace comes into Saturday night off a 12½-length romp in the Hempt Consolation. Also crushed in the North America Cup Consolation by 2¾ lengths in 1:49.2. Heads into the Pace sharp and would love to replace his winning ways in consolations with a victory in the Pace Final. Has drawn post 2 in elim 2. Last Race: 6/30 – PcD – Hempt Consolation – 1st (1:48.4)
6	Thinkbig Dreambig ($51,200 – 1:49.2)	J. Stratton, J. Takter Brixton Medical Inc., J. Fielding, G. Anderberg, G. Falk	Never saw the rail while running his win streak to four in taking the Geers at Tioga. The trainer thought his horse deserved a shot at the Pace. Takter: “He was good at Tioga, outside the whole mile. He’s got that desire to win. That’s very important.” He’ll leave from post 7 in elim 1. Last Race: 6/29 – TgDn – Geers – 1st (1:52.2)
7	Nutcracker Sweet ($321,832 – 1:50.2)	D. Miller, J. Takter H. Taylor, Order By Stable, R. Lombardo	A serious contender after missing all the money in the Hempt by a head. Takter: “I thought he raced really well. This will be his sixth race in six weeks but he comes out of his races great. He is a very happy horse. His last race was his best of the year.” In elim 1, he’s drawn post 5. Last Race: 6/30 – PcD – Hempt Final – 2nd (1:48.3)
8	This Is The Plan ($243,372 – 1:50.2)	T. Tetrick, C. Ryder C. Ryder, R. Mondillo	Went a nightmare of a trip in the Hempt but had been doing well until then. Ryder: “By the time we got around the breaking horse we had a lot to do. The horse is fine. I’d love a two-hole trip (in the Pace) but who the heck knows what will happen? I’m in a good spot (elim 1, post 3) and I’m not complaining.” Last Race: 6/30 – PcD – Hempt Final – 8p7 (2:00.4)
9	Babes Dig Me ($122,947 – 1:52.3Q)	B. Miller, T. Alagna B.J. Grant, J. Sbrocco, J. Leblanc, In The Gym Partners	A second in the North America Cup Consolation has been his best effort of late. Looks like an outsider, so why drop him in? Alagna: “He’s in good shape and I knew the entries would be light. In a lot of these races, it’s about who shows up that day.” He’s drawn post 5 in elim 2. Last Race: 6/23 – PcD – Hempt Elim – 5th (1:50.1)
10	Hayden Hanover ($314,592 – 1:50)	A. Miller, J. Miller Pinske Stables, J. Simpson	Will depart from post 2 in elim 1 off a second-place finish in American History’s 1:47 mile. Julie Miller: “We realized after the North America Cup that Lasix would be a benefit to him (He used it for the first time last week). He bounced back well and is having a good week. (In the Pace) it’s going to be all about the trip. I like our chances.” Last Race: 6/29 – M1 – NW3/4 – 2nd (1:47)