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Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace Week 9 presented by Genova Burns LLC Top 10

Thursday, June 25, 2026

With eliminations (if necessary) just one week away, seven of the horses in Dave Little’s ninth edition of his weekly Road to the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns LLC Top 10 will be in action, getting in their final preps for The Big M’s signature event.

ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE

Week 9 (of 10) – Thursday, June 25

The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 11, 2026

Rank	Horse (Earnings – Mark)	Driver, Trainer, Owner(s)	Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) comments
1	Odds On Mr Mamba ($740,405 – 1:47.4)	J. MacDonald, M. Wrenn 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	Brandon Blvd ($660,977 – 1:48.1)	D. Dunn, A. Harris 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	Beau Jangles ($1,416,919 – 1:48.3)	B. McClure, Dr. I. Moore 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	Al Papi ($476,820 – 1:48.1)	Y. Gingras, R. Burke 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	Melillo ($462,787 – 1:48.4)	R. Wrenn Jr., R. Burke 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	Bookie J ($375,868 – 1:48.4)	D. Dunn, C. Ryder 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	Sweet Lovin Lou ($233,437 – 1:48.2)	S. Zeron, D. Lagace 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	Always B Charlie ($32,768 – 1:51)	S. Zeron, N. Takter 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	Azrael Blue Chip ($158,550 – 1:51)	A. McCarthy, B. Odza 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	Gentleman’s Club ($256,481 – 1:50.2)	A. McCarthy, A. Lambert 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)

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	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