Dave Little’s 2025 Road to the Meadowlands Pace Week 5
Friday, May 30, 2025
Louprint came from just off the pace at Chester to catch Fallout and keep the top spot in the fifth edition of Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace poll. This Saturday, three of the horses in the weekly Top 10 will be in action at Mohawk in the Somebeachsomewhere, while the Top 3 of Louprint, Captain Optimistic, and Fallout will take the week off while preparing for the North America Cup.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 5 (of 10) – Thursday, May 29
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 12, 2025
| Rank | Horse (Earnings – Mark) | Driver, Trainer Owner(s) | Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 | Louprint ($798,821 – 1:48.4) | R. Wrenn Jr., R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phillip Collura, Lawrence R. Karr | Needed the length of the stretch to catch Fallout at Chester after that one had cut out soft fractions, but he got the job done just like his trainer wanted him to, from off the pace. Burke: “He did it easy. That’s a good horse in front of him. I don’t think Ronnie was ever worried. He could not go into the North America Cup more perfectly prepped. He’ll train a little bit this weekend.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rockin Racer Last Race: 5/25/2025 – Phl – PaSS – 1st (1:50.2) |
| 2 | Captain Optimistic ($464,910 – 1:49) | D. Dunn, N. Takter 3 Brothers Stables, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms | Took the lead with a big move to the half, but could not deal with Pace ineligible Twisted Destiny, who was a giant two-move winner. Not in to go this week. The 2024 Governor’s Cup champion has the North America Cup up next. Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Cinamony Last Race: 5/25/2025 – Phl – PaSS – 2nd (1:50) |
| 3 | Fallout ($583,380 – 1:48.4) | T. Tetrick, T. Alagna Robert J. LeBlanc, Pryde Stables Inc, Caviart Farms | A nice try on the engine, but ended up second best to the horse who’s been No. 1 since the start of the Top 10. Alagna: “I was very happy. He’s not a sprinter. That’s not normally his style. Our horse is much like his father. He can stay in gear a long time and go :26 and change. We’ll take the week off, then train him up for the Cup.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Aria Hanover Last Race: 5/25/2025 – Phl – PaSS – 2nd (1:50.2) |
| 4 | Prince Hal Hanover ($312,416 – 1:49.3) | D. Miller, Dr. I. Moore Prince Hal Hanover Stable | Took last week off. Moore: “I trained him [Tuesday] in preparation for the Somebeachsomewhere. He just trained fair. He doesn’t like training alone, but all is good. we’re in good shape.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Percy Bluechip Last Race: 5/17/2025 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 5 | Manolete ($307,243 – 1:50.3) | S. Zeron, B. Saunders M and L of Delaware LLC, M & M Harness Racing LLC | Went a huge mile in the NJSS final, digging in to the wire but falling just short of holding off Pace ineligible Smooth Dream. Saunders: “I thought it was his best race ever. He did all of the heavy lifting and never stopped fighting. No North America Cup for him. He’ll take this week off and then we will supplement to the Messenger at Yonkers.” Breeding: Cattlewash-Glancewithme Last Race: 5/24/2025 – M1 – NJSS Final – 2nd (1:50.3) |
| 6 | Papi’s Rocket ($320,601 – 1:50.4) | Y. Gingras, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc, Slaughter Racing Stable LLC | Went an inside trip, ended up third in the Twisted Destiny-Captain Optimistic tussle while never threatening. Burke: “He didn’t race terribly, but we’ve got to find a way to find more. We’ll take the week off. I’m not sure yet when he will race next.” Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch Last Race: 5/25/2025 – Phl – PaSS – 3rd (1:50.1) |
| 7 | Making History ($42,500 – 1:52.1) | B. Beckwith, T. Alagna Riverview Racing LLC | Crisp late to get third against Smooth Dream and Manolete but was never a threat. Alagna: “I think he’s just not quite as experienced as the other colts. Once he got in gear, he was airborne, you just have to get him through that last turn. I think Brett’s done a great job of educating him. We’re still on the bubble about going to the North America Cup.” Not in this week. Breeding: American History-Mystery Game Last Race: 5/24/2025 – M1 – NJSS Final – 3rd (1:51.4) |
| 8 | Fusion ($116,322 – 1:50.4) | T. McCarthy, B. Pelling Diamond Creek Racing | Took some serious backstretch pressure before repelling that challenge and prevailing with ease in a Stallion Series dash. Pelling: “He’s never raced in front, so I was sort of quite happy he rolled on. He’s a tough bugger. a big, strong easy-going horse. I’d like to get two more race miles under his belt before the Pace eliminations.” Not in this week. Breeding: Always B Miki-Pure Country Last Race: 5/25/2025 – Phl – TSS – 1st (1:51.2) |
| 9 | American Son ($176,815 – 1:49.3) | D. Dunn, C. Ryder Henderson Farms | Sat a two-hole to Papis Pistol and sprinted past that foe in a good-looking try. Ryder: “He showed a bit of life. Obviously, we need a race, but he did go [1]:51 in the qualifier, so I’m kind of happy. He’s in to go in the Somebeachsomewhere.” Breeding: American Ideal-Lady Captain Last Race: 5/24/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:51) |
| 10 | Papis Pistol ($184,867 – 1:49.3) | A. Miller, S. DePinto Shannon C. DePinto, Chris Arvanitis, Anthony Perretti, Brad Shackman | Did he get outsprinted? Yes. Did he look bad? Absolutely not! DePinto: “I thought the horse was OK. His liver [count] is still high but by Saturday, hopefully, it’s fine. That was my biggest concern. We’re in the Somebeachsomewhere.” Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang Last Race: 5/24/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:51.3) |
KEY PREP RACES
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 | Twisted Destiny LOUPRINT Go Go Grasshopper | C. Ryder R. Burke J. Bongiorno | D. Dunn R. Wrenn Jr. D. Palone | Railroad Station Dreamboat Hanover PAPI’S ROCKET | PRINCE HAL HANOVER WILD BILL WYATT Shipmaster | 1:49.1 1:49.3 1:50 |
| 5/3 | NJSS | M1 | MAKING HISTORY Smooth Dream | T. Alagna N. Daley | B. Beckwith T. McCarthy | MANOLETE Twin Fury | Expedited Service TOM HORN | 1:52.1 1:49.3 |
| 5/10 | Pa All-Stars | PcD | Beach Club Monty Lou’s Starr Snack Attack Railroad Station Makes Sense | B. Pelling S. Warnick J. Bongiorno R. Burke R. Cleary | S. Zeron M. Kakaley J. Bartlett Y. Gingras A. McCarthy | Shipmaster WAFFLE BLUE CHIP PAPI’S ROCKET Odds On No Limit Bulldozer | SEAWORTHY HANOVER Wedlock Blue Chip Delray Beach Federer Dreamboat Hanover | 1:51.2 1:51.2 1:51.1 1:50.4 1:51.4 |
| 5/10 | NJSS | M1 | MANOLETE Smooth Dream | B. Saunders N. Daley | S. Zeron T. McCarthy | Odds On Broward Twin Fury | Expedited Service MAKING HISTORY | 1:50.3 1:50.4 |
| 5/17 | PaSS | PcD | LOUPRINT Wedlock Blue Chip PRINCE HAL HANOVER | R. Burke R. Mallar Dr. I. Moore | R. Wrenn D. Miller D. Miller | Twisted Destiny PAPI’S ROCKET Railroad Station | Th Kay C Crunch Shipmaster Lou’s Starr | 1:50.2 1:51.3 1:49.3 |
| 5/24 | NJSS final | M1 | Smooth Dream | N. Daley | T. McCarthy | MANOLETE | MAKING HISTORY | 1:50.3 |
| 5/24 | OnSS Gold | WMP | Sterling Choice Control Rocks | B. MacIntosh J. Darling | B. Davis Jr. T. Borth | SET SHOT Tip Of Time | Aquinas Hanover Fifth And Five | 1:50.4 1:50.1 |
| 5/25 | PaSS | Phl | Twisted Destiny Wedlock Blue Chip LOUPRINT | C. Ryder R. Mallar R. Burke | T. McCarthy D. Miller R. Wrenn Jr. | CAPTAIN OPTIMISTIC Railroad Station FALLOUT | PAPI’S ROCKET Charge Me Up Go Go Grasshopper | 1:49.4 1:50.3 1:50.2 |
| 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
23
days
:
11
hrs
:
17
mins
:
36
secs
Track Conditions
Updated
06/14/2025
Fast
Variant:
Weather
East Rutherford, US
7:02 am,
June 19, 2025
73°F
scattered clouds