Dave Little's Road to the Meadowlands Pace Week 9

Rank

(Earnings – Mark)

Owner(s)

1

($740,405 – 1:47.4)

Odds On Racing

Wrenn: “We are racing Friday night in a leg of the Indiana Sires Stakes. We really didn’t get many starts going into the Cup, so that was sort of the plan. We want to keep him involved with the Indiana fan base. After the Meadowlands Pace, we’ll see where we are at. We may possibly go to the Adios.”

Breeding: Odds On Equuleus-Honky Tonk Woman

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 1^st (1:48.1)

2

($660,977 – 1:48.1)

Punisher 11 Stable LLC

Is staying on the sidelines this week giving an advantage to your opponents? Harris: “We had three starts in a short amount of time. I think if you actually look at most of the Pace winners other than last year, most of the horses take off between the Cup and the Pace. Ours is actually going to The Meadowlands (Friday), where we are going to train him nice and easy.”

Breeding: Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 2^nd (1:48.1)

3

($1,416,919 – 1:48.3)

Graham Grace Stables LLC,

Kiwi Stables LLC,

Bolton Stables

Moore: “We’ll go Saturday at Mohawk in the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold. I trained him (Wednesday) and he was really good. We are looking forward to the weekend. I think he’s ready to go. As the going gets tougher (on the Grand Circuit), now maybe we need to go second-over. This year you have (the Top 3 horses in the poll) who could trade blows all summer long.”

Breeding: Cattlewash-Mrs Major Hill

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 3^rd (1:48.1)

4

($476,820 – 1:48.1)

Burke Racing Stable LLC,

J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby,

Lawrence Karr,

Weaver Bruscemi LLC

With the Pace so close, why send Al Papi and Melillo to the Messenger? Burke: “I was going to train them fast anyway, so, they’re sound, I’m going to race them. I went back and forth on it. It wasn’t an easy decision. Al Papi puts himself in the right position to be competitive.” The Messenger is on Friday night at Yonkers.

Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Baron Remy

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 4^th (1:48.2)

5

($462,787 – 1:48.4)

Burke Racing Stable LLC,

Jason Melillo,

Weaver Bruscemi LLC

Like his stablemate, will give the Messenger a go. Burke: “He got caught in a bad spot (in the North America Cup) and decided to stay in. By the time he got out, the race was over. This horse does everything pretty well. He doesn’t do anything great yet.” What about the two Pace-eligible horses you have racing at The Meadowlands Friday night? “Lindy Dragonwater is on a trial run this week, and I think Ubrute will be good.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 5^th (1:49)

6

($375,868 – 1:48.4)

Ken Jacobs

He got beat, but by another Ryder student, Obliterate, in the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund final. Ryder: “Obliterate is very good, but Bookie J had a bit of an off night. He paced a little rough in the stretch. He’ll take this week off, then we’ll get him set up for the Pace. Time to get serious.”

Breeding: Perfect Sting-Skyy

Last Race: 6/20/2026 – M1 – NJSDF final – 2^nd (1:50)

7

($233,437 – 1:48.2)

Lagace Stables,

Edwin Buhler,

Big Als Stables,

Brittany Farms Micki Rae

Lagace: “We trained him (Wednesday) at Mohawk a pretty fast trip. He is going to qualify on Monday and if all goes well, we’ll ship down to The Meadowlands on Tuesday. He’s healthy. He’s sound, and he’s ready to go.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Lover’s Dream

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 6^th (1:49.1)

8

($32,768 – 1:51)

Upstart Racing

Qualified fourth in the wake of Fragment’s 1:51.1 clocking. Now, a Big M race to get ready for the Big M Pace. Will leave from post 3 Friday night. What do you think your chances are in the Pace? Takter: “Obviously, it’s a Group 1 race for a reason. It’s a tough race to win. He’s still green. He’s still lazy. But I do think we can get a chunk of the purse (in the Pace).”

Breeding: Always B Miki-My Little Delight

Last Race: 6/19/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 4^th (1:52.4)

9

($158,550 – 1:51)

CT Stables LLC

Has drawn post 6 in the overnight at The Big M to get ready for the Pace. Odza: “I’m happy with him. He trained great (Wednesday). I still think he’s at like 90 percent right now. There are still things I am working on, but right now, he’s right where I want him to be.”

Breeding: Perfect Sting-Bathsheba

Last Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 10^th (1:54.1)

10

($256,481 – 1:50.2)

Anthony Licastro

Hasn’t been seen since his North America Cup elimination but is back in The Big M overnight Friday against a handful of other Pace hopefuls. Has post 5. Lambert: “He’s good. He trained well (Wednesday). I think we’ll race him off the pace this week. (In the Pace) unless you are an absolute standout, you still need a trip. I think we are in good shape.”

Breeding: Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers

Last Race: 6/6/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup elimination – 7^th (1:49.3)

Date

Stakes

Site

Winner

Trainer

Driver

2^nd Horse

3^rd Horse

Time

5/2

PaSS

Mea

Sneaky Squeaky

Another C Note

J. Bongiorno

R. Burke

T. Tetrick

R. Wrenn Jr.

MELILLO

Frantic Hanover

AL PAPI

Twin B Thriller

1:50.1

1:51.2

5/2

NJSS

M1

BOOKIE J

C. Ryder

D. Dunn

AZRAEL BLUE CHIP

Thisbeestings Deo

1:50

5/9

NJSS

M1

Sonofanutcracker

T. Cancelliere

D. Dunn

AZRAEL BLUE CHIP

ROCKNACIOUS

1:50

5/9

Pa All-Stars

PcD

Another C Note

Captain Apple

Treacherous Lou

Toast Of The Town

R. Burke

C. Ryder

R. Cleary

N. Daley

T. Buter

P. Ryder

T. Tetrick

T. McCarthy

Papi Rick

Southwind Spencer

Easy Breeze

Superchamp Hanover

Spunky Hanover

Really Bright

TALBOT ANDRETTI

Good Friday

1:52.2

1:54.1

1:53.4

1:52.2

5/9

Ontario SBOA elims

Wbsb

BEAU JANGLES

Borderline Mobby

Dr. I. Moore

D. Menary

B. McClure

J. MacDonald

Tilthecowscomehome

WINDOR

Mega Moves

Redland Rocket Man

1:51

1:50.4

5/16

Ontario SBOA final

Wbsb

BEAU JANGLES

Dr. I Moore

B. McClure

Borderline Mobby

WINDOR

1:49.3

5/16

PaSS

PcD

APOCALYPSEBLUECHIP

Sneaky Squeaky

Another C Note

J. Bongiorno

J. Bongiorno

T. Buter

J. Bongiorno

J. Bongiorno

R. Burke

Superchamp Hanover

Captain Apple

MELILLO

Southwind Spencer

Silent Investor

Papi Rick

1:50.3

1:51.1

1:50.4

5/23

NJSS final

M1

BOOKIE J

C. Ryder

D. Dunn

AZRAEL BLUE CHIP

Thisbeestings Deo

1:50.2

5/24

PaSS

Phl

MELILLO

Another C Note

Papi Rick

R. Burke

R. Burke

N. Daley

T. Tetrick

Y. Gingras

A. McCarthy

Easy Breeze

ALWAYS B CHARLIE

Sneaky Squeaky

TALBOT ANDRETTI

Thai Hanover

AL PAPI

1:48.4

1:50.3

1:50.3

5/30

Somebeachsomewhr

Wbsb

BRANDON BLVD

A. Harris

J. Bartlett

SWEET LOVIN LOU

No Waitlist

1:48.1

6/6

N.A. Cup elims

Wbsb

SWEET LOVIN LOU

ODDS ON MR MAMBA

D. Lagace

M. Wrenn

J. MacDonald

J. MacDonald

AL PAPI

BRANDON BLVD

AZRAEL BLUE CHIP

BEAU JANGLES

1:48.2

1:48.2

6/13

N.A. Cup final

Wbsb

ODDS ON MR MAMBA

M. Wrenn

J. MacDonald

BRANDON BLVD

BEAU JANGLES

1:48.1

6/26

Messenger

YR

7/4

Meadowlands Pace elims

M1

7/11

Meadowlands Pace final

M1