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. WrennOdds 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 WomanLast Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 1st (1:48.1) |
| 2 |
Brandon Blvd($660,977 – 1:48.1) |
D. Dunn, A. HarrisPunisher 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 – 2nd (1:48.1) |
| 3 |
Beau Jangles($1,416,919 – 1:48.3) |
B. McClure, Dr. I. MooreGraham 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 HillLast Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 3rd (1:48.1) |
| 4 |
Al Papi($476,820 – 1:48.1) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke 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 RemyLast Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 4th (1:48.2) |
| 5
|
Melillo($462,787 – 1:48.4) |
R. Wrenn Jr., R. BurkeBurke 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 RoseLast Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 5th (1:49) |
| 6 |
Bookie J($375,868 – 1:48.4) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderKen 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-SkyyLast Race: 6/20/2026 – M1 – NJSDF final – 2nd (1:50) |
| 7 |
Sweet Lovin Lou($233,437 – 1:48.2) |
S. Zeron, D. LagaceLagace 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 – 6th (1:49.1) |
| 8 |
Always B Charlie($32,768 – 1:51) |
S. Zeron, N. TakterUpstart 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 DelightLast Race: 6/19/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:52.4) |
| 9 |
Azrael Blue Chip($158,550 – 1:51) |
A. McCarthy, B. OdzaCT 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-BathshebaLast Race: 6/13/2026 – Wbsb – North America Cup – 10th (1:54.1) |
| 10 |
Gentleman’s Club($256,481 – 1:50.2) |
A. McCarthy, A. LambertAnthony 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 – 7th (1:49.3) |
MEADOWLANDS PACE ELIGIBLES IN CAPS – Supplements are permitted per the conditions of the race
| Date | Stakes | Site | Winner | Trainer | Driver | 2nd Horse | 3rd 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 |
Track Conditions
Updated
06/20/2026
Fast
Variant:
