Meadowlands Media Relations
|
Rank |
Horse (Earnings
- Mark) |
Driver,
Trainer, Owner |
Dave
Little’s Comments |
|
1 |
Tall
Dark Stranger ($726,889 – 1:47.4) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms, Howard Taylor |
Any doubts about how ready he is were
squashed after his 1:47.4 dismantling of older foes Saturday night. The time
equaled the fastest of the year in the sport. Takter: “I knew he had that in
him. He did it very easily without much effort. The fact that he did it in
his first start, that surprised me.” Next stop: The Pace Elims on July 11. Last Race: 6/27 – M1 –
NW$22,500 – 1st (1:47.4) |
|
2 |
Papi
Rob Hanover ($754,774 – 1:50) |
D. Miller, B. Pelling David McDuffee |
Will make his 2020 debut Saturday night in a
tough spot in the Big M’s 11th race. Has drawn post 10 against a good field
of upper mid-range conditioned – and with one exception, older – foes.
Pelling: “I’m looking for a nice clean race Saturday. There has never been a
glitch [in his season]. The only glitch has been the schedule. My horse will
thrive [racing for several weeks in a row]. I don’t have to protect him. He’s
going to recover well naturally. Racing will turn him on.” Last Race: 6/27 – M1 –
Qualifier – 1st (1:50.3) |
|
3 |
Capt
Midnight ($299,038 – 1:49.4) |
A. McCarthy, T. Alagna Marvin Katz, Ken Jacobs, Brad Grant, Capt Midnight Racing |
The only other 3-year-old in the 11th race
Saturday did better at the post draw than Papi did, getting the 4. Alagna:
“It’s always tough for 3-year-olds to face older. But he’s had a good week
and we are looking forward to getting that first start in.” Last Race: 6/22 –
Gaitway – Qualifier – 1st (1:51) |
|
4 |
Catch
The Fire ($258,547 – 1:49.4) |
M. Wilder, J. Ackley CT Stables
|
Four of the Top 10 are in the 5th race
Saturday at the Meadowlands. Catch The Fire drew best of the lot, leaving
from the 6 hole. Ackley: “He’s aggressive and loves what he’s doing. He loves
to compete and he’ll probably go more than we hope for him. The plan is to
race him some but we just want to get a real good tightener in him.” Last Race: 6/18 – Mea
– Qualifier – 1st (1:52.1) |
|
5 |
Captain
Barbossa ($130,188 – 1:51.2) |
A. McCarthy, T. Alagna Robert Leblanc, David Anderson, Alagnafrankinthegym
Stable |
Will depart from post 10 in Race 5 Saturday.
Alagna: “We took last week off by design. We need to get another nice start
in him. He had a good week but the 10 hole is a pain.” Barbossa was a good
second in his last race on June 20 after being pushed three-wide off the
turn. Last Race: 6/20 – M1 –
NW4 – 2nd (1:50.4) |
|
6 |
Major
Betts ($153,390 – 1:49.1) |
D. Dunn, M. Harder Joseph Jannuzzelli, Mark Harder, Deena Rachel Frost |
Sped past Schnittker standout – and 2-5
favorite – Splash Brother at Tioga to win in 1:49.4 by 3 lengths on Sunday.
Very impressive! Harder: “The colt raced right up to expectations. It looks
like we are right on track. I think he’s pretty much spot on.” Last Race: 6/28 – TgDn – NYSS – 1st (1:49.4) |
|
7 |
Allywag
Hanover ($38,233 – 1:48.2) |
D. Miller, B. Pelling Allywag Stable |
Burst onto the Meadowlands Pace scene with an
eye-popping 1:48.2 score at the Big M last Saturday after flying home in
:26.2. He’ll be the favorite from post 8 in Saturday’s 5th race. Pelling: “[I
was not] at all surprised by his mile last week. He was sensational in his
qualifier the week before. He’s got sheer speed. He’s the real deal. If he’s
not one the best five [horses] in the Pace, I’ll give the game away.” Last Race: 6/27 – M1 –
NW4 – 1st (1:48.2) |
|
8 |
Manticore ($179,710 – 1:52.2) |
D. Miller, B. Saunders M and L of Delaware, M & M Harness Racing |
Distinguished himself for a second straight
start, this time sprinting home in :26.2 to grab second to Allywag Hanover
Saturday night. Leaves from post 7 in Saturday’s Race 5. This horse is a bon
fide closer. Saunders: “I expect him to race well this week. Next week [in
the elims], I hope he’s in a spot from where he can qualify for the
[Meadowlands Pace] final. There are four or five horses that have a much
better resume than him, but if he gets the right trip, anything can happen.” Last Race: 6/27 – M1 –
NW4 – 2nd (1:48.3) |
|
9 |
Roll
With Jr ($176,516 – 1:50.4) |
T. Tetrick, J.Cullipher Pollack Racing, Jeff Cullipher |
Won a 3-year-old event at Cullipher’s home
track, Hoosier Park, in speed fashion, in a very encouraging first betting
start of the season. Cullipher: “I know my horse won’t be favored facing some
of the better horses, but after the win back home last week, he’s earned the
chance to race in The Pace. I was very pleased with his performance. We’ll
train him up good Saturday and ship to the Meadowlands Sunday.” Last Race: 6/26 – HoP
– The Star Destroyer – 1st (1:51.2) |
|
10 |
Captain
Kirk ($60,228 – 1:51) |
D. Dunn, T. Alagna Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz,Brad Grant,
Captain Kirk Racing |
Rounds out Alagna’s threesome in the Top 10.
Lone pari-mutuel start this year resulted in a second-place finish –
featuring a :25.2 kicker – at the hands of Splash Brother, who was winning in
1:48.2. Alagna: “I think [Captain] Kirk has talent like [Capt] Midnight. We
quit with him early last year, after the Metro. So far, he’s paid us back for
that extra time off.” Scheduled to qualify Friday morning. Will Alagna have 4
in the Pace? More? “You never know,” he said. Last Race: 6/20 – M1 – NW2 – 2nd (1:48.3) |
