The Meadowlands Pace is set to take place on Saturday, July 10 at the Meadowlands Racetrack. Dave Little’s latest and final “Road to the Meadowlands Pace” highlights the top 10 horses from each week. The top five finishers from each dash will book their ticket to the $668,000 Meadowlands Pace Final on July 15.
The Meadowlands Pace is a harness race for three-year-old pacers held annually at the Meadowlands Racetrack. It is one of the richest pacing races in North America with a $668,000 purse. With such high stakes it makes the event one of the premier harness races in the country and a must-watch for those in the Meadowlands area.
Below you can find Dave Little’s final “Road to the Meadowlands Pace”, showcasing the top horses going into the race, in addition to comments from Little and trainers.
Rank | Horse (Earnings – Mark) | Driver, Trainer Owner(s) | Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
1 | Confederate($640,950 – 1:48.4)
| T. Tetrick, B. PellingDiamond Creek Racing | Has post 1 in the 2nd Meadowlands Pace elimination Saturday night. The trainer is the all-time leader in Pace wins with 4. Pelling: “He’s doing well. Nice and fresh.” What’s the Pace’s significance? “It’s the biggest race for a pacing trainer living here. It’s the signature race.” How’s your confidence level? “Confident is not a good way to be. You are more relieved when they get it done. But. There is no horse in this field that I would trade for mine.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-GeothermalLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 2nd (1:47.4) |
2 | Fulton($422,133 – 1:48.2) | D. Dunn, L. ToscanoLet It Ride Stables Inc,Bottom Line Racing LLC | Post 3 in Elim 1. The trainer’s Best In Show was an upset winner in 2019 and has a big shot at another Pace win. Toscano: “He’s fine. I kind of expected (that there wouldn’t be a lot of horses drop in). I couldn’t see more than two divisions. the right horses are in the race. With short fields you have a little bit more leeway as far as not killing your horse.” Breeding: Heston Blue Chip-Bettor Be SteaminLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 3rd (1:48.1) |
3 | Voukefalas($455,183 – 1:49.4) | J. Stratton, M. RussoMichael Pagonas | Post 1 in Elim 1. Russo: “I’ve been wanting to win this race since McKinzie Almahurst (a personal favorite as a fan) didn’t win the race. I can’t imagine it. I know if we were to win The Pace, I would probably get emotional. Voukefalas trained great (Wednesday).” Breeding: Lazarus N-InittowinafortuneLast Race: 7/1/2023 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.4) |
4 | Stockade Seelster($810,478 – 1:49.3) | J. Jamieson, Dr. I. MooreSally MacDonald, Paul MacDonald | Post 3 in Elim 2. Moore: “He’s coming into the race good. I normally would have trained him (today) but we went (Wednesday) because of the heat. We’ll ship (today).” Breeding: State Treasurer-Soiree SeelsterLast Race: 7/1/2023 – WMP – Ontario Sire Stakes Gold – 1st (1:49.3) |
5 | Christchurch($65,825 – 1:48.2)
| D. Dunn, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing,Farhi Standardbreds Corp.,Spreydon Lodge Ltd | Post 6 in Elim 2. Off a strong lifetime-best score at The Big M. Was that precisely what you were looking for? Takter: “I trained him (Wednesday) morning and was really happy with him. He went a good mile last week. I was most happy to see him dig in and not let anybody by. I think he’s pretty versatile but he’s going to need a little bit of pace.” Breeding: Always B Miki-DarlinonthebeachLast Race: 7/1/2023 – M1 – 3YO Open – 1st (1:48.2) |
6
| Cannibal($150,798 – 1:48.3) | S. Zeron, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing | Post 2 in Elim 1. To this author, this one’s stock is up. Takter: “He’s undefeated this year and has done everything I have asked him to do. Out of all my horses, he’s the most versatile. In his last start, he came first up and beat older horses and he’s so much sounder this year as compared to last.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-No More LossesLast Race: 6/24/2023 – M1 – NW$10,000L4 – 1st (1:49.1) |
7 | Save America($401,780 – 1:48.1) | A. McCarthy, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables, Caviart Farms | Post 7 in Elim 2. Finished an uninspiring fourth in his final tune up last week. Takter: “I pulled blood on him last week since I was a little disappointed in his effort. His white blood count was off. I think that would be a legit excuse for last week. That being said, I hope we can have him at 100 percent this week. He’s a little bit too inconsistent.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-My Lady DayLast Race: 7/7/2023 – M1 – NW$10,000L4 – 4th (1:49.4) |
8 | Ammo($448,308 – 1:50.3) | D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz | Post 2 in Elim 2. Had no shot in The North America Cup, and he is, after all, the Breeders Crown champion from last year. Holloway: “He’s coming into the race fine. He raced horrible last week but that was my fault. I’ve made some changes. I have to try and make him better.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-Beach GalLast Race: 7/1/2023 – M1 – 3YO Open – 5th (1:49) |
9 | Hungry Angel Boy($43,655 – 1:50.2) | Y. Gingras, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc.,Pit Bull Stable LLC,Brittany, Head, Riverview Racing | Post 4 in Elim 1. Yannick Gingras gets in the bike with Todd McCarthy driving Combustion. Alagna: “I have to worry about this race, and that’s why I think Yannick is a good fit. I think he’s a tactical driver who knows what he needs to do to get the horse into the final. The horse had a great week. After bleeding a little, we’ll be adding Lasix for the first time.” Breeding: Stay Hungry-Angel ScentLast Race: 7/1/2023 – M1 – NW2 – 2nd (1:49.1) |
10 | Its a Me Mario($111,811 – 1:49.4) | L. Tritton, S. TrittonJoshua Jay Graber | Post 7 in Elim 1. After starting the year 5-for-5, finished 6th in the Messenger. What happened? Shane: “Last year, I said he’s the real deal, but then he had an injury. When he came back as a 3YO he reached the potential he had as a 2YO. I think his last start was his best run. He was unlucky not to get money. The horse is still learning.” Breeding: American Ideal-Nf SalsaLast Race: 6/30/2023 – YR – Messenger – 6th (1:58.4 – 1 1/16 miles) |