Dave Little's 2022 Road to the Meadowlands Pace

By Harnesslink · 6 May 2022 · 7:34 am

East Rutherford, NJ – When the news broke Tuesday morning of Monte Miki’s career-ending tendon injury, the “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” picture became somewhat blurred as the Mark Evers trainee was the early Pace favorite.

As a result, a Joe Holloway student, 2021 Governor’s Cup winner Early Action, has the top spot in the first of 10 weekly polls that will be authored by Big M TV personality Dave Little.

DAVE LITTLE”S ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 1 (of 10) – Thursday, May 5

The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 16

Rank

Horse

(Earnings – Mark)

Driver, Trainer

Owner(s)

Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments

1 Early Action

($442,817 – 1:49.4)

B. Sears, J. Holloway

Val D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz

Gets top billing due to Monte Miki being forced into early retirement, the result of a torn tendon, but don’t sell this one short. He won the 2021 Governor’s Cup and a pair of Red Mile stakes. Holloway: “I think he’s come back great. I’ve been very happy with him. We’ll qualify again (Friday), and then I don’t know what we’ll do. I’ll absolutely avoid going against older this year (like I did with Perfect Sting last year).”

Breeding: Huntsville-Fashion Katie

Last Race: 4/30/2022 – M1 – Qualifier – 5^th (1:53.2)

2 Hammering Hank

($283,218 – 1:51.1)

D. Dunn, B. Pelling

3 Brothers Stables,

Pelling Racing LLC, Rojan Stables

Won 8-of-11 a year ago, with one of his losses coming to Early Action and the other two to Monte Miki, but his 2022 is off to a bit of slow start. Pelling: “I actually took him out of the (June 18) North America Cup. A month ago, I wasn’t happy with the way he looked. The last two weeks, he has started to bloom. We’ll qualify him on May 17 at Philadelphia and then on the 28^th at The Meadowlands.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-History Repeats

Last Race: 11/20/2021 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 3rd (1:50.1)

3 Market Based

($222,990 – 1:50.4)

D. Dunn, N. Takter

Chuck Pompey, Edwin J. Gold,

H And M Taylor Stable

The 2021 Matron winner has come back well. Takter: “I’m very happy with him, very happy with how he’s come back. But I wish he had drawn better (post 9 in race 7) for this Saturday at The Meadows. I think he’s matured a lot from last year. He’s filled out. He’s more of a small-track horse, he’ll need good trips on big tracks.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Economy Terror

Last Race: 4/30/2022 – M1 – Qualifier – 2^nd (1:53)

4 Fourever Boy

($213,836 – 1:53.2)

M. Wilder, T. Twaddle

Micki Rae Stables LLC,

Tim Twaddle

PaSS standout had to scratch out of the $250,000 Final but did put up one superb win before his 2021 concluded with a score in The Matron. Twaddle: “His best race last year was his last race last year (when fourth to Early Action in The Governor’s Cup). He was put away good and sharp and sound. He’s come back great. He made a break in the first turn at Plainridge (on April 28). We’re not sure what happened there. I expect a big effort this Saturday when he’s in the Sire Stakes at The Meadows.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Macharoundtheclock

Last Race: 4/28/2022 – PRc – Paul Revere – 9^th (2:02.2)

5 I Did It Myway

($138,658 – 1:50.3)

T. Tetrick, T. Alagna

Country Club Acres Inc.,

Joe Sbrocco, Don Latore,

Alagna And Fodera Racing

A standout season during 2021 on the PaSS circuit plus a Tomkins-Geers win at The Big M stamps him as a player. Alagna: “He had some breathing issues in the PaSS Final and i was happy with how he bounced back in his Breeders Crown Elimination. His first qualifier was good. he’ll qualify again Friday.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Flyme To The Moon

Last Race: 4/30/2022 – M1 – Qualifier – 4^th (1:53)

6 Nautical Hanover

($128,082 – 1:51)

T. McCarthy, T. Alagna

Brad Grant, VJ Stable,

Jablonsky Held Stable,

In The Gym Partners

His lone 2021 win was super, a 1:51 score in the Bluegrass over Pace ineligible Gulf Shores. Alagna: “Nautical Hanover had a very good winter and qualified well. He has really matured. We’ll qualify him again Friday.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Naughty Marietta

Last Race: 4/30/2022 – M1 – Qualifier – 2^nd (1:54.1)

7 Mad Max Hanover

($130,806 – 1:52.1)

T. Tetrick, J. Leamon

Marvin J. Rounick

already raced twice this year. finished 2nd a head at The Big M in a 1:49.4 mile then won at Philly in 1:52.1. Leamon: “He was green, big and growthy before he started to get his footing at the end of the year. The plan is for The (NA) Cup and Pace. He has Sire Stakes at the Meadows Saturday.”

Breeding: Always B Miki-Mayhem Seelster

Last Race: 5/1/2022 – Phl – Non-winners of 3PM – 1^st (1:52.1)

8 Captain Cowboy

($114,705 – 1:51.2)

Y. Gingras, A. Svanstedt

Ake Svanstedt, Little E LLC,

PCW Racing LLC

Versatile sort recorded five wins, all at different tracks during 2021. Svanstedt: “He raced well last year in his last three or four races and he’s been training back well. I’m happy with him. He’s qualifying at The Meadowlands Friday and then will go in the Pa. All-Stars at Pocono.”

Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Odds On Lassomyhrt

Last Race: 4/23/2022 – M1 – Qualifier – 1^st (1:53.2)

9 Caviart Camden

($84,635 – 1:48.3)

Y. Gingras, T. Alagna

Caviart Farms

Went 3-for-10 last year, including a world-record 1:48.3 mark for a 2-year-old colt on a mile track in Lexington. Alagna: “Just a medium-sized horse who broke the world record. He battled sickness after that but had a good winter. He’ll qualify Friday.”

Breeding: Huntsville-Caviart Christa

Last Race: 11/6/2021 – M1 – Kindergarten (Leg 5) – 4^th (1:52)

10 Six Feet Apart

($99,225 – 1:50.2)

D. Miller, B. Brown

Michael Dean Robinson,

Robert A. Mondillo, David A. Meola,

Rich Lombardo Racing LLC

Won a Breeders Crown Elimination in 1:50.2 a year ago, and, in addition, registered 4 wins at the red mile. Brown: “This horse has never given us a bad race and he has a great attitude. We’ll be in Saturday in the Stallion Series at The Meadows. I think he’ll be a Meadowlands Pace horse.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Ideal Love

Last Race: 4/29/2022 – MVR – Qualifier – 1st (1:53)

KEY PREP RACES

MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race

Date	Stakes	Site	Winner	Trainer	Driver	2^nd Horse	3^rd Horse	Time
5/6	Reynolds	YR
5/7	Pa. Sire Stakes	Mea
5/21	WEG/SBOA Stakes	Wbsb
5/30	Pa. Sire Stakes	PcD
6/4	Somebeachsomewhere	Wbsb
6/8	Pa. Sire Stakes	Phl
6/11	N. America Cup Elim.	Wbsb
6/18	N. America Cup Final	Wbsb
6/24	Messenger Elim.	YR
7/1	Messenger Final	YR
7/2	Ontario SS Gold	Wbsb
7/9	Meadowlands Pace Elim.	M1
7/16	Meadowlands Pace Final	M1

Categories: USA
Tags: Dave Little, Meadowlands Pace, The Meadowlands