Christchurch Takes Over Top Spot in Dave Little’s Road to the Pace Week Seven
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Christchurch Takes Over Top Spot in Dave Little’s Road to the Pace Week Seven
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 7 (of 10) – Thursday, June 15
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 15, 2023
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – After defeating Voukefalas in a North America Cup elimination, Christchurch has taken over the top spot in the Week 7 edition of “Dave Little’s Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 Poll. The question is: Will he still be there after Saturday night’s $1-million Cup final?
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Christchurch($43,225 – 1:48.4)
|
T. McCarthy, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing,Farhi Standardbreds Corp.,Spreydon Lodge Ltd |
Made a big move on the far turn to win the 1st North America Cup elim, so he replaces Voukefalas as the top dog in the poll. Departs from post 3 in the final Saturday night. Takter: “He’s never lost on the front. He’s more of a strong horse than a quick horse. I spoke to Dexter. It took him a long time to make the decision (to drive Fulton). It was a tough decision, but he had committed to Fulton at the start of the year.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-DarlinonthebeachLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 1st (1:48.4) |
| 2 |
Confederate($469,950 – 1:48.4) |
T. Tetrick, B. PellingDiamond Creek Racing |
Put on a speed show in Elim 4. Has post 5 and is the morning-line favorite. Pelling: “He was really good. he just did everything pretty perfect. Good drive. Had good pace. to me, the two favorites are the most versatile, mine and (Pace ineligible) It’s My Show. It’ll be very strategic.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-GeothermalLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 1st (1:48.4) |
| 3 |
Fulton($340,053 – 1:48.2) |
D. Dunn, L. ToscanoLet It Ride Stables Inc,Bottom Line Racing LLC |
Used an opening panel of :25.4 to take control during a wire-to-wire Elim 2 win. Has post 4 in the final. “He hasn’t been racing bad,” said Dunn. “His last couple starts, he hasn’t been 100 per cent. But (Saturday) he was really good. Linda changed his bridle, and he was sharp and ran right to the line.”
Breeding: Heston Blue Chip-Bettor Be SteaminLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 1st (1:48.2) |
| 4 |
Voukefalas($400,463 – 1:49.4)
|
J. Stratton, M. RussoMichael Pagonas |
Took bad steps in the first turn, sat mid-pack before getting back in the game, rallied well late gaining on Christchurch in what was a good effort in Elim 1. Has Post 6 in the final. What happened in the first turn? Russo: “It was very disheartening. he’s used to everything back home. he jumped over something. with that said, I felt really good once he settled. it was a bad break, his nose almost hit the ground. he faced adversity and showed how tough he is.”
Breeding: Lazarus N-InittowinafortuneLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 2nd (1:48.4) |
| 5 |
Ammo($439,208 – 1:50.3) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz |
Second best in Elim 2, securing a spot behind the gate (post 10) for the final. Holloway: “He threw a shoe leaving the gate. Maybe it affected his performance, maybe it didn’t. David thought he was going by, but he didn’t.” What about post 10? “Somebody else has to make a mistake, but the horse is in great shape, the horse feels tremendous.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-Beach GalLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 2nd (1:48.3) |
| 6 |
Save America($366,380 – 1:48.1) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables, Caviart Farms |
Rallied past Stockade Seelster to lockup a spot by finishing second in Elim 3. Post 9 in the final. Takter: “I was super happy with him. I was surprised Yannick stayed in, it’s risky. he’s one more week into being a gelding now. he got gelded between his first and second qualifier.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-My Lady DayLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 2nd (1:48.2) |
| 7 |
Stockade Seelster($743,826 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, I. MooreSally MacDonald, Paul MacDonald |
Raced in the pocket but could not hold on to second in the third elim. Of the four third-place finishers, was the fourth horse chosen for a spot in the final. Moore: “I’m very disappointed. But not with the horse. He needed one more race to be ready for that. The Meadowlands Pace is very much still our focus. He’ll race Saturday in the Cup consolation.”
Breeding: State Treasurer-Soiree SeelsterLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 3rd (1:48.3) |
8 |
Seven Colors($79,209 – 1:48.1) |
T. Tetrick, B. BrownCountry Club Acres Inc.,Joe Sbrocco, Bill Elliot,Milton Leeman |
Went first-up against It’s My Show, hung in there to grab a fourth-place check, which is not good enough to race on Saturday. What happens from here? Brown: “We were very happy with the horse. the horse was great, it just wasn’t good enough. we’ll go in the Messenger elims on June 23.”
Breeding: Stay Hungry-RainbowinthedarkLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 4th (1:48.3) |
9 |
Lyons Surfing($205,476 – 1:50.1) |
A. McCarthy, J. King Jr.Threelyonsracing |
Was sent to the gate in the fourth elim at 24-1 and was a surprising second. Or was it surprising? King: “I was not surprised at all. He was just a big heavy horse when he started the year and had to get in shape. I don’t know if any of them are that much better than him.”
Breeding: Stay Hungry-Surfside SexyLast Race: 6/10/2023 – WMP – North America Cup elimination – 2nd (1:49.1) |
10 |
Cannibal($143,298 – 1:48.3) |
S. Zeron, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing |
Did not participate in the North America Cup. Gets a berth in the Top 10 off his 2-for-2 record in the Pa. Stallion Series. Are you looking forward to The Pace? Takter: “Absolutely! He might be the last man standing. He’s home getting his workouts in. He’ll race in an overnight next week.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-No More LossesLast Race: 5/28/2023 – Phl – Pa Stallion Series – 1st (1:48.3) |
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 |
| 5/6 | 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 | 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 | ||||||
| 6/17 | N.A. Cup final | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/23 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/24 | NY Sire Stakes | Stga | ||||||
| 6/30 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 7/8 | Meadowlands Pace elim. | M1 | ||||||
| 7/15 | Meadowlands Pace Final | M1 |
Track Conditions
Updated
12/21/2024
Fast
Variant: -2
25°F