Confederate Takes Over Top Spot in Week Eight of Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace
Thursday, June 22, 2023
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 8 (of 10) – Thursday, June 22
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 15, 2023
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – The harness racing world is waiting to see if owner Richard Young will supplement his North America Cup-winning gelding It’s My Show to The Pace. In the meantime, the Brett Pelling-trained Confederate, who was a fast-closing second as the 7-5 favorite in The Cup, takes over the top spot in Edition 8 of Dave Little’s weekly “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll.
| 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 |
Closed like a shot, just missed in the N.A. Cup to Pace-ineligible It’s My Show as the 7-5 favorite. Pelling: “His trip was OK. I thought he would be positioned closer, but that’s just racing. We were super happy with him. He did an amazing job to get as close as he did. That was only his third start. He’ll go right into The Pace elims (on July 8).”
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 |
Went a big mile but had to settle for third as his stablemate sipped from The Cup. Toscano: “Man, he was good. I don’t think our horse could have raced any better. In a perfect world, we would have lined up 1-2 (behind Toscano’s It’s My Show), but Fulton ended up having to come first-up. After being used that first quarter, I’m so proud of him. He’ll take two weeks off and go in The Pace elims.”
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 |
Went a tough trip trapped inside but closed quite willingly once clear to cash the fourth-place check in The Cup after going to the gate as the second choice in the wagering. Russo: “He had problems from the get-go. The trip was not in our favor. We had about an eighth of a mile to get out and do anything. The colt was good. He made up four of six lengths in an eighth of a mile. Maybe he’ll qualify next Saturday. Then, The Pace.”
Breeding: Lazarus N-InittowinafortuneLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 4th (1:48.2) |
| 4 |
Stockade Seelster($772,326 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, I. MooreSally MacDonald, Paul MacDonald |
Failed to qualify for the final, so he did the best thing he could: Win the consolation. Moore: “No race this week, just turning him out until Friday, when we jog him. He’ll go in the Ontario Gold a week from Saturday. He did well (in the consolation). He won with authority and had a lot left.”
Breeding: State Treasurer-Soiree SeelsterLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup consolation – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 5 |
Christchurch($50,825 – 1:48.4)
|
T. McCarthy, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing,Farhi Standardbreds Corp.,Spreydon Lodge Ltd |
Will take the week off after tasting defeat for the first time in 2023 after an unthreatening try in The Cup, which resulted in a sixth-place finish. Takter: “I thought he raced well. He had a little bit of traffic.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-DarlinonthebeachLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 6th (1:48.2) |
| 6 |
Save America($400,580 – 1:48.1) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables, Caviart Farms |
Worked out a pocket trip behind the eventual Cup winner after exploding from the gate in :25.4 to grab the early lead. Wasn’t bad through the stretch but did not have enough late to grab a major share. Takter: “I thought he raced great. Yannick had no other option. Obviously, the horse got a little tired finishing. I was happy with him.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-My Lady DayLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 5th (1:48.2) |
| 7
|
Seven Colors($79,209 – 1:48.1) |
T. Tetrick, B. BrownCountry Club Acres Inc.,Joe Sbrocco, Bill Elliot,Milton Leeman |
Took last week off after failing to make The Cup final. The plan was to go in the Messenger elims at Yonkers Friday, but with only 10 having entered (5 who are Pace eligible), he’ll get another week off because June 30’s final will be one dash for the cash. Brown: “A lot of people don’t stake to The Messenger because it’s on a half-mile track. I’ll qualify my horse Friday at Delaware (Ohio) if it doesn’t rain.”
Breeding: Stay Hungry-RainbowinthedarkLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 4th (1:48.3) |
| 8 |
Ammo($446,808 – 1:50.3) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz |
Was never involved in The Cup after a no-chance trip from post 10. Holloway: “We took our best shot. It all comes down to he should have won his elimination. He’ll be off until The Meadowlands Pace eliminations.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-Beach GalLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup – 9th (1:50.3) |
9 |
Cannibal($143,298 – 1:48.3) |
S. Zeron, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing |
Will make his third start of the year Saturday night at The Meadowlands in the 12th race. Takter: “I’m happy with the spot he drew into. Having said that, he hasn’t raced in a few weeks, so he’s not super-tight right now. At the same time, we are aiming to peak for The Meadowlands Pace.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-No More LossesLast Race: 5/28/2023 – Phl – Pa Stallion Series – 1st (1:48.3) |
10 |
Hungry Angel Boy($40,030 – 1:50.2) |
T. McCarthy, T. AlagnaAlagna Racing LLC,Pryde Stables Inc.,Pit Bull Stable LLC,Brittany, Head, Riverview Racing |
Cracks the Top 10 after finishing third in his Cup elim (to Confederate) before finishing second in the consolation (to Stockade Seelster). Alagna: “He was really good in his Cup elimination but had the misfortune of not getting into the final. He also did well in the consolation. We opted not to go to the Messenger and will definitely go in The Pace.”
Breeding: Stay Hungry-Angel ScentLast Race: 6/17/2023 – WMP – North America Cup consolation – 2nd (1:49.4) |
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 |
| 5/6 | NJ Sire Stakes | M1 | VOUKEFALAS | M. Russo | J. Stratton | HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE | Lifes A Puzzle | 1:50.3 |
| 5/6
|
Pa. Sire Stakes | Mea | BAMBOOZLER
Ken Hanover Annapolis Hanover FULTON |
V. Morgan
R. Mallar M. York L. Toscano |
D. Dunn
D. Miller H. Myers D. Dunn |
Loubet
Ervin Hanover NAZARE Flight Craft |
SEVEN COLORS
All Class Just Bet It All ADMIRAL HILL |
1:50.1
1:49.4 1:50.3 1:49.2 |
| 5/13 | NJ Sire Stakes | M1 | VOUKEFALAS | M. Russo | J. Stratton | HANDLELIKEAPORSCHE | Laz | 1:50 |
| 5/14 | Pa. All-Stars
|
PcD | Idiosyncratic
Command Ken Hanover |
R. Burke
B. Pelling R. Mallar |
S. Allard
T. McCarthy D. Miller |
MAMBA
Hunters Hero LYONS SURFING |
Stay Grounded
Panettone Hanover IM HUNGRY |
1:50.3
1:51.1 1:51.4 |
| 5/21 | Pa. Sire Stakes
|
PcD | AMMO
FULTON It’s My Show Ken Hanover |
J. Holloway
L. Toscano L. Toscano R. Mallar |
D. Miller
D. Dunn S. Zeron D. Miller |
Flite Craft
LYONS SURFING BAMBOOZLER Larceny |
Just Bet It All
Annapolis Hanover Captain Batboy All Class |
1:50.3
1:50.2 1:49.2 1:49 |
| 5/27 | NJ Sire Stakes final | M1 | VOUKEFALAS | M. Russo | J. Stratton | VICI | Lifes A Puzzle | 1:49.4 |
| 5/28
|
Pa. Sire Stakes | Phl | It’s My Show
Ervin Hanover SEVEN COLORS |
L. Toscano
R. Burke B. Brown |
S. Zeron
Y. Gingras T. Tetrick |
AMMO
BAMBOOZLER Annapolis Hanover |
LYONS SURFING
Larceny Tip Top Cat |
1:49.1
1:49.2 1:48.1 |
| 6/3
|
Somebchsomewhere | Wbsb | Redwood Hanover
Annapolis Hanover STOCKADE SEELSTER |
A.Beaton
M. York I. Moore |
J. MacDonald
D. Miller J. Jamieson |
FULTON
BAMBOOZLER Moment Is Here |
DUPREE HANOVER
ANTS MARCHING GUNG HO |
1:49
1:49.3 1:50.1 |
| 6/10
|
N.A. Cup elims | Wbsb | CHRISTCHURCH
FULTON It’s My Show CONFEDERATE |
N. Takter
L. Toscano L. Toscano B. Pelling |
D. Dunn
D. Dunn S. Zeron T. Tetrick |
VOUKEFALAS
AMMO SAVE AMERICA LYONS SURFING |
Moment Is Here
Redwood Hanover STOCKADE SEELSTER HUNGRY ANGEL BOY |
1:48.4
1:48.2 1:48 1:48.4 |
| 6/16
|
NY Sire Stakes | VD | Thunder Hunter Joe
Huntinthelastdolar ITS A ME MARIO |
N. DeVita
G. McNair S. Tritton |
T. Buter
S. Zeron B. Sears |
American Fling
I Was Tricked PACINO HANOVER |
Peppermint Man
Taste Of Honey Goldin Greatness |
1:49.2
1:49.2 1:49.4 |
| 6/17 | N.A. Cup final | Wbsb | It’s My Show | L. Toscano | S. Zeron | CONFEDERATE | FULTON | 1:47.4 |
| 6/24 | NY Sire Stakes | Stga | ||||||
| 6/30 | Messenger | YR | ||||||
| 7/8 | Meadowlands Pace elim. | M1 | ||||||
| 7/15 | Meadowlands Pace Final | M1 |
Track Conditions
Updated
11/16/2024
Fast
Variant:
37°F