Dave Little’s Road to the 2025 Meadowlands Pace Week 1
Thursday, May 1, 2025
After a 2-year-old season that saw him bank over $730,000 and take home a Breeders Crown trophy, the Ron Burke-trained Louprint starts out at No. 1 in the first “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” of 2025. The top 10, which is compiled by Big M TV host Dave Little, will come out every Thursday until July 3, which is two days before the eliminations for the $700,000 (est.) classic event for 3-year-old pacers.
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Louprint($737,939 – 1:48.4)
|
R. Wrenn Jr., R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phillip Collura, Lawrence R. Karr |
The winner of the $400,000 Kentucky Sire Stakes Championship and $700,000 Breeders Crown from last year opens up as the horse at the top of the list. Burke: “He’s racing on Saturday in sire stakes at The Meadows. We’re looking at the North America Cup and then the Meadowlands Pace. I’m trying to spread my colts out so they don’t face each other.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rockin RacerLast Race: 4/22/2025 – Mea – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.2) |
| 2 |
Fallout($568,600 – 1:48.4) |
T. Tetrick, T. AlagnaRobert J. LeBlanc,Pryde Stables Inc,Caviart Farms |
Won the 2024 edition of the $740,000 Metro as well as a six-figure International Stallion Stakes division. Alagna: “He’s being pointed toward the Cup and the Pace. His qualifier was a sneaky good line. We try to have them at their peak to have them ready for the money.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Aria HanoverLast Race: 4/26/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:52.2) |
| 3 |
Captain Optimistic($454,830 – 1:49) |
D. Dunn, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables,Marvin Katz,Caviart Farms |
The $150,000 New Jersey Classic winner from last year also took the $382,200 Governor’s Cup. Takter: “He’s really good. He trained super last week and is qualifying Friday at The Meadowlands. If he stays healthy and sound, he should have a good year.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-CinamonyLast Race: 11/30/2024 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 4 |
Papi’s Rocket($287,903 – 1:50.4) |
T. Tetrick, R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC,Weaver Bruscemi LLC,Knox Services Inc,Slaughter Racing Stable LLC |
Outperformed his odds with a third-place finish in the 2024 Governor’s Cup. His big win came in the $252,000 PaSS final. Burke: “He qualified really well and is going to the sire stakes on Saturday.”
Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Real TouchLast Race: 4/19/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:53.1) |
| 5 |
Papis Pistol($184,867 – 1:49.3)
|
A. Miller, S. DePintoShannon C. DePinto,Chris Arvanitis,Anthony Perretti,Brad Shackman |
Fired his biggest shot of 2024 taking the $148,500 Kindergarten final in 1:50.3 as the 1-5 favorite. Will qualify Friday at The Meadowlands. DePinto: “He’s coming into the season well. He was turned out on Andy Miller’s farm and has trained down very well. For a smaller stable like mine, it’s an exciting time.”
Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Bang BangLast Race: 11/30/2024 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 4th (1:50.4) |
| 6
|
American Son($175,150 – 1:49.3) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderHenderson Farms |
Finished second to Pace ineligible Sippinonsearoc in a qualifier last Saturday. Went 4-for-7 during his freshmen season with all of his losses coming to Louprint. Ryder: “He’s fine. We are racing Saturday night at The Meadowlands in an overnight. He’s a New York-sired horse, so he doesn’t have much before the [June 14] North America Cup.”
Breeding: American Ideal-Lady CaptainLast Race: 4/26/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:51.3) |
| 7 |
Prince Hal Hanover($287,321 – 1:51) |
D. Miller, Dr. I. MoorePrince Hal Hanover Stable |
Sparkled in his second qualifier at Southern Oaks Training Center, winning in 1:51. Moore: “He was an average colt until May of last year and then he started picking things up. He’s grown tall and filled out. I’m very optimistic. He’s in the sire stakes Saturday at The Meadows. When the sire stakes are over, we’ll go to the Somebeachsomewhere.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Percy BluechipLast Race: 4/16/2025 – SOTC – Qualifier – 1st (1:51) |
| 8 |
Manolete($232,243 – 1:50.4) |
S. Zeron, B. SaundersM and L of Delaware LLC,M & M Harness Racing LLC
|
Off a second-place finish to powerhouse winner Smooth Dream in the Home Grown. Saunders: “He showed advancement [last week]. We didn’t like the fact that we [had to race on the lead], but we’re happy with his progress so far. This weekend [in the Jersey Sire Stakes], he’s in a good spot, and I think he’ll be the favorite in there.”
Breeding: Cattlewash-GlancewithmeLast Race: 4/26/2025 – M1 – Home Grown – 2nd (1:51.2) |
9 |
D A Love Boat($71,589 – 1:48.4) |
Y. Gingras, J. DarlingJack Darling Stables Ltd |
His last outing of last year was a memorable one, as he took down Louprint in 1:48.4. Darling: “We’re going to qualify Friday at Mohawk. He’s a little bit of an unknown entity but based on his last start at Lexington [last year], he was pretty impressive and it looks like he belonged. He was always a nice colt but I really didn’t expect him to win that race.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-Addicted To LoveLast Race: 10/5/2024 – Lex – International Stallion Stakes – 1st (1:48.4) |
10 |
Fusion($106,322 – 1:50.4) |
T. McCarthy, B. PellingDiamond Creek Racing |
Went 4-for-5 during 2024 racing against Kentucky Commonwealth stock. He hasn’t had the horse long, but the 5-time Meadowlands Pace-winning trainer said that’s no big deal. Pelling: “I’ve had him since Feb. 1. He’s impressive to look at. He’s a big strong, black horse. I’m going to qualify him at Chester on Tuesday and then take him to The Meadowlands and qualify him there. We’re not going to the Cup, so we can space things out.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-Pure CountryLast Race: 11/30/2024 – M1 – Governor’s Cup – 10th (1:51.4) |
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 |
| 5/3 | PaSS | Mea | ||||||
| 5/3 | NJSS | M1 | ||||||
| 5/10 | Pa All-Stars | PcD | ||||||
| 5/10 | NJSS | M1 | ||||||
| 5/10 | WEG/SBOA elims | WMP | ||||||
| 5/17 | PaSS | PcD | ||||||
| 5/17 | WEG/SBOA final | WMP | ||||||
| 5/24 | NJSS final | M1 | ||||||
| 5/24 | OnSS Gold | WMP | ||||||
| 5/25 | PaSS | Phl | ||||||
| 5/31 | Somebchsomewhere | WMP | ||||||
| 6/7 | N.A. Cup elims | WMP | ||||||
| 6/14 | N.A. Cup final | WMP | ||||||
| 6/20 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/27 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 6/28 | OnSS Gold | WMP | ||||||
| 7/5 | Meadowlands Pace elims | M1 | ||||||
| 7/12 | Meadowlands Pace final | M1 |
Meadowlands Pace
56
days
:
12
hrs
:
49
mins
:
05
secs
Track Conditions
Updated
05/16/2025
Fast
Variant:
Weather
East Rutherford, US
5:30 am,
May 17, 2025
65°F
broken clouds