Road to the Meadowlands Pace runs through Mohawk

Rank

Horse

(Earnings – Mark)

Driver, Trainer,

Owner(s)

Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) comments

1

Beau Jangles

($1,334,839 – 1:48.3)

B. McClure, Dr. I. Moore

Graham Grace Stables LLC,

Kiwi Stables LLC,

Bolton Stables

Will depart from post 7 in the second North America Cup elimination (Race 9 at Mohawk Saturday night). Amazing that most of the better horses drew into your elimination, no? Moore: “It’s going to happen sometime. If not this time, next time. Things aren’t like they used to be. Horses used to come in with 4, 5 or 6 starts. Some of these have just 1, 2 or 3. My colt trained super (Wednesday).”

Breeding: Cattlewash-Mrs Major Hill

Last Race: 5/23/2026 – Wbsb – Ontario Sire Stakes Gold – 1st (1:50.3)

2

Odds On Mr Mamba

($362,405 – 1:47.4)

J. MacDonald, M. Wrenn

Odds On Racing

Made his lone start of the year on May 25. He crushed on his home turf. Now, he’s in Ontario where he has drawn post 4 in the second Cup elim. Dexter Dunn has opted to drive Brandon Blvd. So, who’s it going to be, Melanie? Wrenn: “My husband, Peter, he told me he has the guy.” It’s five-time defending O’Brien Driver of the Year James MacDonald. “Saturday is going to be nerve-racking for sure.”

Breeding: Odds On Equuleus-Honky Tonk Woman

Last Race: 5/25/2026 – HoP – Indiana Sire Stakes – 1st (1:49)

3

Brandon Blvd

($489,977 – 1:48.1)

D. Dunn, A. Harris

Punisher 11 Stable LLC

Could he be any tighter off a lifetime-best effort in the Somebeachsomewhere? Harris: “I was very happy with him in the Somebeachsomewhere. It was kind of what we prepped for and he took care of business. I think we have as good a chance in the Cup as anyone.” Has drawn post 8 in elim two.

Breeding: Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith

Last Race: 5/30/2026 – Wbsb – Somebeachsomewhere – 1^st (1:48.1)

4

Gentleman’s Club

($256,481 – 1:50.2)

A. McCarthy, A. Lambert

Anthony Licastro

Second-best to grizzled veteran Captain Luke in what was another good prep race. Lambert: “He’s faced good horses in his last two starts. Older horses. That’s what we wanted to do at the start of the year. He’s in great shape.” Will depart from post 1 in the second elim.

Breeding: Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers

Last Race: 5/30/2026 – M1 – NW$10,500 – 2^nd (1:49)

5

Melillo

($427,507 – 1:48.4)

R. Wrenn Jr., R. Burke

Burke Racing Stable LLC,

Jason Melillo,

Weaver Bruscemi LLC

Skipped last week after a powerhouse lifetime-best win at Chester. Has drawn post 3 in the second elim. Burke: “He’s very good. He’s in the tougher division.” Would it be better if the horses were seeded to make for evenly-matched eliminations? “To win these races, you have to beat these horses, so, it’s no big deal.”

Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose

Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1^st (1:48.4)

6

Bookie J

($355,868 – 1:50)

D. Dunn, C. Ryder

Ken Jacobs

Ryder: “Bookie J is doing well. I am pointing him toward the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund final on June 20.” The trainer has another Pace eligible who figures to make noise this season: Show Me Your Ace, who sparkled in his seasonal debut last Saturday in 1:51.2. “With him, I’m trying to decide between the Meadowlands Pace and the Kentucky SS.”

Breeding: Perfect Sting-Skyy

Last Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 1^st (1:50.2)

7

Ubrute

($370,907 – 1:49.4)

Y. Gingras, R. Burke

Burke Racing Stable LLC,

Weaver Bruscemi LLC,

Hatfield Stables,

Phil Collura

Qualified second to Smooth Dream – who went 8-for-8 last year at The Big M – in 1:51. Has drawn post 5 in the 2nd elimination. Burke: “For his qualifier, the track was dead. I think on Saturday he’ll be handled more aggressively.”

Breeding: Tall Dark Stranger-Warrawee Ubeaut

Last Race: 5/29/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 2^nd (1:51)

8

Al Papi

($415,980 – 1:48.1)

Y. Gingras, R. Burke

Burke Racing Stable LLC,

J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby,

Lawrence Karr,

Weaver Bruscemi LLC

None of his three performances this year have been exceptional, it’s time for him to lift his game. He’s in the first elim and leaves from post 5. Burke is optimistic: “He was actually good in his last start. He trained vicious the other day. We’re almost there.”

Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Baron Remy

Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 3^rd (1:50.4)

9

Always B Charlie

($25,018 – 1:51)

S. Zeron, N. Takter

Upstart Racing

Will not head to the North America Cup. Inexperienced sort who raced only once at 2, but has looked good so far this year, winning 2 of 3, the lone loss coming at the hands of the unbeaten (in 2026) Another C Note. Racing on Saturday in an overnight at Pocono.

Breeding: Always B Miki-My Little Delight

Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2^nd (1:50.4)

10

Azrael Blue Chip

($147,030 – 1:51)

A. McCarthy, B. Odza

CT Stables LLC

After his solid slop second in the NJSS, he took the week off and is now heading to Mohawk, where he’s drawn post 3 in the first elim. Odza: “I’m pumped. More pumped that I’m in the other division (He was kidding). He’s had a great week and I think this will be a good test for him.”

Breeding: Perfect Sting-Bathsheba

Last Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 2^nd (1:50.2)

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

6/13

N.A. Cup final

Wbsb

6/19

Messenger elims

YR

6/26

Messenger final

YR

7/4

Meadowlands Pace elims

M1

7/11

Meadowlands Pace final

M1