Voukefalas Takes Top Spot in Week 5 of Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Off a powerhouse win in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final, Voukefalas has risen to the top of the Week 5 edition of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 5 (of 10) – Thursday, June 1
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 15, 2023
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark)  |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Voukefalas($391,088 – 1:49.4) |
J. Stratton, M. RussoMichael Pagonas |
Gets bumped up to No. 1 after putting on another dazzling display Saturday night at The Meadowlands to complete a three-race sweep of the New Jersey Sire Stakes. Russo: “I thought he came out of the race really well. He’ll take this week off. I’d like to train him Tuesday and then ship to Canada Wednesday for the North America Cup. that’s my plan.”
Breeding: Lazarus N-InittowinafortuneLast Race: 5/27/2023 – M¹ – NJSS – 1st (1:49.4) |
| 2 |
Fulton($307,428 – 1:49.2) |
D. Dunn, L. ToscanoLet It Ride Stables Inc,Bottom Line Racing LLC |
Opted to take last week off. The colt with the big lifetime stats (8 wins, 11 starts) is now off to Canada, where he will race in the Somebeachsomewhere Saturday night.
Breeding: Heston Blue Chip-Bettor Be SteaminLast Race: 5/21/2023 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:50.2) |
3 |
Christchurch($24,475 – 1:49.3) |
D. Dunn, N. TakterDiamond Creek Racing,Farhi Standardbreds Corp.,Spreydon Lodge Ltd |
Moves up to No. 3 off a week off, his eye-popping seasonal debut still fresh in this poll-compiler’s mind. What now? Takter: “He’s going to qualify (race 9) Saturday morning at The Meadowlands. Then, he’ll head to the North America Cup if he qualifies well, which I expect him too.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-DarlinonthebeachLast Race: 5/19/2023 – M¹ – NW2 – 1st (1:49.3) |
4 |
Confederate($451,200 – 1:49.2) |
T. Tetrick, B. PellingDiamond Creek Racing |
It appeared he had too much to do in his first start of the year last week facing older foes, but after swinging three-wide at three-quarters, he used a final quarter of :25.4 to keep the chalk players smiling. Is his trainer smiling? Pelling: “He did what I expected, less can go wrong when you are coming off the pace. he’s ready to go.” The N.A. Cup is next.
Breeding: Sweet Lou-GeothermalLast Race: 5/27/2023 – M¹ – NW$10,000 – 1st (1:50.1) |
5 |
Ammo($429,833 – 1:50.3) |
D. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms, Ted Gewertz |
Slips to No. 5 after finishing second to the superb, but Pace ineligible, It’s My Show, who may turn out to be the best 3YO in the country. Holloway: “I was a little disappointed by the result but he raced well. He’s got to get a little bit better. We’ll take the week off and then head to the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-Beach GalLast Race: 5/28/2023 – Phl – PaSS – 2nd (1:49.2) |
6 |
Stockade Seelster($711,576 – 1:49.3) |
J. Jamieson, I. MooreSally MacDonald, Paul MacDonald |
Why is this Top 10 so challenging to put together this year? Because the top 2YO in the game from a year ago would still be in the top spot were it not for a nose loss in his only start of 2023. Moore: “You said I was tired of training this horse,” explained Moore. “The truth is, the horse is tired of me training him. He wants to get out there and compete.” He’ll get that chance Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the Somebeachsomewhere.
Breeding: State Treasurer-Soiree SeelsterLast Race: 5/20/2023 – WMP – Ontario SBOA – 2nd (1:51.2) |
7 |
Combustion($292,275 – 1:49.3) |
T. McCarthy, B. PellingDiamond Creek Racing,Thomas Dillon, Scott Dillon,Cooper Silva Stables |
Sprinted home in :26 to take his qualifier. Is there a race for Combustion to participate in? The North America Cup eliminations are next week. Pelling: “he’s going to race Saturday night at The Meadowlands (Race 7), Combustion is robust, so racing back-to-back is less of a problem for him.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AcquavellaLast Race: 5/27/2023 – M¹ – Qualifier – 1st (1:52.2) |
8 |
El Rey($288,775 – 1:49.2) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaBrittany Farms LLC, El Rey Racing |
Took last week off after a second to the tough, but Pace ineligible, For Once Inmy Life. Alagna: “He came out of the race well. So, we are on our way to Canada. It’ll be nice to get a start over the track this week (in the Somebeachsomewhere) before the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Mystery GameLast Race: 5/20/2023 – M¹ – W2-NW5 – 2nd (1:51.2) |
9 |
Save America($357,005 – 1:48.1) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stables, Caviart Farms |
Put up an opening half of :54 before a back half of :54.1 made him the first of two colts on the Sunday card at Chester to pace in a 3YO season’s-best 1:48.1. As a result, he makes his return to the Top 10. Takter: “I actually switched up his training. I think I’ve been a little bit too nice to him. we knew he had the ability to do that. He’s heading to the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-My Lady DayLast Race: 5/28/2023 – Phl – Pa Stallion Series – 1st (1:48.1) |
10 |
Seven Colors($76,209 – 1:48.1) |
T. Tetrick, B. BrownCountry Club Acres Inc.,Joe Sbrocco, Bill Elliot,Milton Leeman |
Makes his debut in the poll after taking his fourth victory of the year last week over the “Chester Drag Strip” in a season’s-best-equaling (for a 3YO) 1:48.1. Is this one a real Pace player? Brown: “This horse has not had a bad race this year. he’s matured and tries hard. He’s turning into a really nice horse. in fact, I think he’s there already. We’re getting ready for the North America Cup.”
Breeding: Stay Hungry-RainbowinthedarkLast Race: 5/28/2023 – Phl – PaSS – 1st (1:48.1) |
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 | ||||||
| 6/7 | NY Sire Stakes | BR | ||||||
| 6/10 | N.A. Cup elims | Wbsb | ||||||
| 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
33°F