Home / Pace News / Eight in Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns Top 10 Head to the NA Cup Elims

Eight in Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns Top 10 Head to the NA Cup Elims

Thursday, June 4, 2026

ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 6 (of 10) – Thursday, June 4

The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 11, 2026

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Eight of the horses in Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns Top 10 poll will be racing Saturday night at Mohawk in two eliminations for the $C1-million North America Cup, which will no doubt go a long way toward giving handicappers an indication of who might win the 50th edition of The Meadowlands’ signature event on the second Saturday in July.

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)

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
5/2	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