ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS
PACE
Week 3 – Thursday, May 16
The Crawford Farms Meadowlands
Pace is on Saturday, July 13
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Rank
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Horse
(Earnings – Mark)
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Driver, Trainer
Owner(s)
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Dave Little’s Comments
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1
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Captain Crunch
($616,113 – 1:49.1)
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S. Zeron, N. Johansson
3 Brothers Stables, Christina Takter,
Rojan Stables, Caviart Farms
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Paced his final quarter in :26.3 on the
way to an easy qualifying win at the Meadowlands on May 4. He will begin his
season Sunday in Pennsylvania Sire Stakes action. Johansson: “He trained
Wednesday morning and everything seemed normal. All systems go.”
Last Race: 5/4 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:51.2)
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2
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Proof
($451,039 – 1:51)
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D. Miller, B. Brown
Diamond Creek Racing
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Moved to the lead at the half but had to
settle for second in his first outing of the year on May 4 in a solid try.
Brown: “He had an easy week. I trained him and Workin Ona Mystery in about
two minutes with a back half in :57.” Faces Captain Crunch Sunday, but has
drawn post 8.
Last Race: 5/4 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd
(1:50.4)
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3
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Blood Money
($372,244 – 1:50)
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S. Zeron, N. Johansson
Diamond Creek Racing
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Held sway to the wire to record a narrow
victory in Pennsylvania All-Stars action last week and is heading to Yonkers
for the Rooney Saturday night. Johansson: “He raced really well. I know he
won by only a nose but he was in hand and had plenty left in the tank after
Scott used him a couple of times.”
Last Race: 5/11 – PcD – Pennsylvania All-Stars – 1st
(1:50)
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4
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Bronx Seelster
($294,505 – 1:51.2)
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T. Henry, W. McGean
Capers 3 Stable
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Qualified on May 6 at Woodbine Mohawk
Park, stopping the clock in 1:54 after brushing to the lead at
three-quarters, but has now hit a speed bump. McGean: “He has a banged-up
foot, he hit his quarter and cut it open. I’m very concerned. We’ll see what
happens.” McGean hopes to have his colt ready for the Ontario Sire Stakes on
May 25.
Last Race: 5/6 – WMP – Qualifier – 1st (1:54)
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5
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Love Me Some Lou
($190,495 – 1:50.4)
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D. Miller, T. Cancelliere
J. Cancelliere
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Stayed perfect in two starts this year
after taking his division of the PaSS in 1:50.4 on May 4. On Sunday, Lou
heads for Pocono, where he’s drawn post 8 in a division of the Sire Stakes.
Cancelliere: “He’s a happy little fella. I’m really happy with the way this
horse is coming along.”
Last Race: 5/4 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st
(1:50.4)
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6
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Semi Tough
($298,556 – 1:51.1)
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M. Kakaley, R. Burke
Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino,
J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi
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After leaving from post 8, was never
involved on May 4 in a Pennsylvania Sire Stakes division at the Meadows but
did close in :27.2 to grab the final check by finishing fifth. Burke: “That
race was a step in the right direction. Everything now seems fine.” He’s in
Sunday at Pocono.
Last Race: 5/4 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 5th
(1:51.4)
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7
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Bettor’s Wish
($282,056 – 1:51.1)
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D. Dunn, C. Ryder
Chris Ryder, Bella Racing, Fair Island
Farm, Kenneth Solomon
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Qualified at the Meadowlands Saturday,
winning by 2¾ Lengths in 1:52.4. Ryder: “Qualifier was just right. Not too
fast, not too slow. This horse is going well.” He’s drawn post 3 in
Saturday’s 9th race in the Rooney at Yonkers.
Last Race: 5/11 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.4)
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8
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Workin Ona
Mystery
($129,608 – 1:49.3)
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T. Tetrick, B. Brown
Diamond Creek Racing, Stambaugh Leeman
Stable, Alan Keith, Wingfield Brothers
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Impressed in his first outing of the
year, winning from post 8 in 1:50.1 as the 4-5 public choice at the Meadows.
Brown: “He and Proof are a little racy right now. They both are a little
ornery, but they’ll settle down.” Also racing Sunday in the Poconos.
Last Race: 5/4 – Mea – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st
(1:50.1)
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9
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Reigning Deo
($256,888 – 1:54.1Q)
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A. McCarthy, B. Pelling
Deo Volente Farms, Pelling Racing, Brian
Gordon
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Finished second to Rollwithpapajoe in
New York Sire Stakes action at Monticello on Monday over a track condition
that was less than ideal. Pelling: “He came out of the Monticello race well.
We raced wide and he did well.” Next up is the NYSS at Saratoga a week from
Sunday.
Last Race: 5/13 – MR – New York Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:56.3)
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10
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Hurrikane Emperor
($226,900 – 1:49.3)
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D. Dube, J. McDermott
Jonathan Klee Racing, Kuhen Racing,
Pegasis Investment Group, William Garofalo
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Team is taking a slow approach to getting
ready for the road ahead. McDermott: “Jogged up and trained him once nice and
easy this week. I’m not looking to peak him anytime soon. I want to have him
fresh and ready for the North America Cup after we go in the New Jersey Sire
Stakes the next three weeks.”
Last Race: 5/4 – M1 – Qualifier – 5th (1:51.4)
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