Week 5 of Dave Little’s Road to the 2026 Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Beau Jangles stayed perfect in 15 lifetime outings after a win last week at Mohawk, and will take a week off before the first major test of the season, the North America Cup. The top-ranked horse in the fifth edition of Dave Little’s weekly Road to the Meadowlands Pace poll will face seven of the remaining nine horses in the Top 10 in the C$1-million event, including second-ranked Odds On Mr Mamba, who sparkled in his seasonal debut last week at Hoosier Park.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 5 (of 10) – Thursday, May 28
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 |
Beau Jangles($1,334,839 – 1:48.3) |
B. McClure, Dr. I. MooreGraham Grace Stables LLC, Kiwi Stables LLC, Bolton Stables |
Cruised to a 2½-length score in the OnSS Gold over an off track in 1:50.3 racing for a third straight week. Time for a break before the N.A. Cup. Moore: “It was either go in the OnSS Gold or the Somebeachsomewhere. The weather last week was miserable, but sometimes, it’s good to get them a race in those conditions. everything is hunky-dory.”
Breeding: Cattlewash-Mrs Major HillLast Race: 5/23/2026 – Wbsb – Ontario Sire Stakes Gold – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 2 |
Odds On Mr Mamba($362,405 – 1:47.4) |
D. Dunn, M. WrennOdds On Racing |
In his much-anticipated seasonal debut, crushed his Indiana Sire Stakes foes by 2¼ lengths in 1:49. Does that eliminate any stress? Wrenn: “I’m feeling much better. He did everything right. He was effortless. He will not race in the Somebeachsomewhere but will go next week in the N.A. Cup eliminations. This is how we mapped his season out.”
Breeding: Odds On Equuleus-Honky Tonk WomanLast Race: 5/25/2026 – HoP – Indiana Sire Stakes – 1st (1:49) |
| 3 |
Gentleman’s Club($252,881 – 1:50.2) |
A. McCarthy, A. LambertAnthony Licastro |
Another nice effort in the Poconos has this one ready to rock and roll. Lambert: “I think it ended up being the quickest mile of the day. No shame in getting beat by Downbythewater. We are racing Saturday at The Meadowlands. Then the North America Cup. He’s good, sound and healthy.”
Breeding: Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers Last Race: 5/23/2026 – PcD – W4-7PM – 2nd (1:51.1) |
| 4 |
Brandon Blvd($439,397 – 1:48.4) |
J. Bartlett, A. HarrisPunisher 11 Stable LLC |
He’s only had one start this year. Is there cause for concern? Harris: “I don’t mind it. We’re coming in as perfect as we want him to be. These horses only race 11 to 14 starts a year, you have to save them for the big dances.” Will be racing Saturday in the Somebeachsomewhere.
Breeding: Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith Last Race: 5/15/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 5
|
Melillo($427,507 – 1:48.4) |
T. Tetrick, R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC,Jason Melillo,Weaver Bruscemi LLC |
Powered clear of his foes by 3¼ lengths at Chester in a lifetime-best-equaling 1:48.4. Paced identical :27 quarters during the back half of the mile while on the point. Super impressive! Burke: “He was much better. My horses, they are all moving in the right direction. He’s been the one that’s been a little bit ahead of everybody. You’ll see him next in the N.A. Cup.”
Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rosemary RoseLast Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:48.4) |
| 6 |
Bookie J($355,868 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderKen Jacobs |
Came back on in the slop to nail Azrael Blue Chip in a thriller of a New Jersey Sire Stakes final. The winner displayed two moves in his best effort of the year. Ryder: “That might have been a (1):48 mile on a nice evening. He’ll be taking a couple of weeks off, then might race in the Home Grown in 2 or 3 weeks. Things are working out better than I thought they would.”
Breeding: Perfect Sting-SkyyLast Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 1st (1:50.2) |
| 7 |
Ubrute($370,907 – 1:49.4) |
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC,Weaver Bruscemi LLC,Hatfield Stables,Phil Collura |
Took last week off. Burke: “I expect to go a big qualifier with him Friday at The Meadowlands. I was thinking about the Somebeachsomewhere, but I don’t think three weeks in Canada is constructive at all. We’re not set up there, so that means he’d be shipping back and forth. It didn’t make sense for the horse or the barn. After qualifying, he’ll head to the N.A. Cup.”
Breeding: Tall Dark Stranger-Warrawee UbeautLast Race: 5/16/2026 – PcD – Pennsylvania Stallion Series – 3rd (1:51.2) |
| 8 |
Al Papi($415,980 – 1:48.1)
|
Y. Gingras, R. BurkeBurke Racing Stable LLC,J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby,Lawrence Karr,Weaver Bruscemi LLC |
Burst onto the scene off cover turning for home and finished a good third at Chester, finishing behind the leader and pocket-sitter. Burke: “He did what we wanted him to do. We have now raced him twice from off the pace and now he’s ready for the N.A. Cup eliminations.”
Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Baron RemyLast Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 3rd (1:50.4) |
| 9 |
Always B Charlie($25,018 – 1:51) |
S. Zeron, N. TakterUpstart Racing |
Bumped up to the Sire Stakes level and finished second to Another C Note, who is a perfect 7-for-7 this year. Takter: “That was just his third lifetime start, and I was really proud of his effort. Since he still qualifies for non-winners of 3, it won’t be a problem getting him a start or two before the Meadowlands Pace. I’ll get him in an overnight in a week or two.”
Breeding: Always B Miki-My Little DelightLast Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:50.4) |
10 |
Azrael Blue Chip($147,030 – 1:51) |
A. McCarthy, B. OdzaCT Stables LLC |
Cracks the Top 10 off a big try in the NJSS final. Odza: “I wasn’t thrilled with him having to go first over. He’s still a green horse. I thought we were home free for a second, but we know Bookie J is a good horse. My horse came out of the race great so I’m looking forward to seeing him on a bigger stage, that’s why we are giving him a shot in the N.A. Cup.”
Breeding: Perfect Sting-BathshebaLast Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 2nd (1:50.2) |
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 | ||||||
| 6/6 | N.A. Cup elims | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/13 | N.A. Cup finals | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/19 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/26 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 7/4 | Meadowlands Pace elims | M1 | ||||||
| 7/11 | Meadowlands Pace final | M1 |
Track Conditions
Updated
05/23/2026
Sloppy
Variant: -2
