Nijinsky Takes Over Top Spot in Dave Little’s 2024 Road to the Pace Week 8
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Nijinsky Takes Over Top Spot in Dave Little’s 2024 Road to the Pace Week 8
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 8 (of 10) – Thursday, June 20
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 13, 2024
Meadowlands Racetrack
East Rutherford, NJ – Nijinsky won the North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park to remain unbeaten in 2024. As a result, he takes over the top spot in the eighth edition of Dave Little’s weekly Road to The Meadowlands Pace Top 10 poll. Nijinsky is the only horse with a chance to pull off the North America Cup/Meadowlands Pace double, which was last accomplished by Tall Dark Stranger in 2020.
| Rank | Horse
(Earnings – Mark) |
Driver, Trainer
Owner(s) |
Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) Comments |
| 1 |
Nijinsky($529,890 – 1:48.1)
|
L. Roy, A. BeatonWest Wins Stable,John D Fielding, Mark B Dumain
|
A perfect second-over trip led to a drink from the North America Cup, keeping the son of Bettor’s Delight unbeaten in five starts this year after going just 1-for-10 a year ago. Beaton: “It was pretty exciting. The only way it could have been any better is if Sylvain [driving Funtime Bayama] came out of the three hole and gave Legendary cover,” he said with a laugh. “We were content following Legendary. We knew he was going to get us there.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Pirouette HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 1st (1:48.1) |
| 2 |
Captain’s Quarters($594,456 – 1:49.1)
|
J. Jamieson, H. HollandRich P Stiles |
Could not hold off Nijinsky in what was a valiant try. Holland: “He raced great. He got the toughest journey out of most of them. The winner got a better trip. That’s the bottom line. I was very happy with him. I’ll keep him as fresh as I can until the Meadowlands Pace.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Prescient BeautyLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 2nd (1:48.2) |
| 3 |
Funtime Bayama($381,948 – 1:49.1)
|
S. Filion, R. MoreauBayama Farms Inc |
Another big mile, had to settle for third in the Cup. Filion: “I was very happy with his performance. he left hard. I was hoping for a two-hole trip but we ended up getting a three-hole trip and got jammed up on the turn. He’s been great for us. We’ll give him the week off and start to get ready for the Pace.”
Breeding: He’s Watching-Tymal SugrbabydollLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 3rd (1:48.3) |
| 4 |
Captain Albano($552,915 – 1:49.2)
|
T. McCarthy, N. DaleyPatricia Stable, L A Express & Sjoblom Inc, Michael E Dolan |
Made two moves before the half and might have had a third had there been room from the pocket in deep stretch. Settled for fourth. Daley: “I’m biased, but me and my driver thought we were the best. He had to stop him in the straight. He was spot on. We knew the horse that ended up second-over would win the race. He will not race in between now and [the Pace] elims.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-AngelouLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 4th (1:48.4) |
| 5 |
Legendary Hanover($377,209 – 1:48.3) |
J. MacDonald, A. BeatonEric K Good, West Wins Stable,Mark B Dumain |
Ended up having to do the dirty work, providing the live tow for stablemate Nijinsky. Were you happy as it was unfolding? Beaton: “I thought he put in a great effort. we got stuck in a bad spot with him. He had to do the heavy lifting but that’s all part of racing. After a light week, I will decide if I’m going to qualify Legendary and Nijinsky next week.”
Breeding: Huntsville-Lillian HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 5th (1:49) |
| 6 |
McCrunch($35,775 – 1:49) |
Y. Gingras, N. Takter3 Brothers Stable,Caviart Farms,Joe Sbrocco, JAF Racing LLC |
Sports a gawdy record of 5 Meadowlands starts, 5 Meadowlands wins. Did not go to The N.A. Cup. It’s time to look for a race before the Pace, no? Takter: “He’s racing Saturday at The Meadowlands. He’s doing well. At this time of year, keeping them healthy and fit and happy is the goal.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-McGibsonLast Race: 5/31/2024 – M1 – W1-NW3 – 1st (1:49) |
| 7 |
Captain Luke($354,174 – 1:49.3) |
S. Zeron, T. AlagnaRobert J Leblanc, Pryde Stables Inc,Bradley J Grant, Steven Head |
Went an inside trip, finished 6th behind a pretty good top five in the Cup. Alagna: “He actually tied up [in the Cup]. The way the trip worked out he would not have had a clear shot. I expect him to bounce right back. I’ll race him next week if they have a 3-year-old race or an overnight at The Meadowlands. If not, he’ll qualify.”
Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Bodacious HanoverLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup final – 6th (1:49.2) |
| 8
|
Mirage Hanover($186,883 – 1:49.3) |
T. Tetrick, J. LeamonMarvin J Rounick |
A third-place finish in the Cup consolation after no racing room late. Leamon: “He probably would have won had he got out. He was locked in for his life. He looked like tons the best. I’ll probably look for a race next week, or maybe just a qualifier. We’ll see how it works out.”
Breeding: Bettor’s Delight-Mayhem SeelsterLast Race: 6/15/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup consolation – 3rd (1:49.2) |
| 9 |
Gem Quality($488,401 – 1:50) |
D. Dunn, C. RyderLet It Ride Stables Inc,Odds On Racing, Bradley J Grant,Enviro Stables Ltd |
Wilted to 5th in the Captain’s Quarters elimination win. A disappointed trainer decided to skip the consolation. What now? Ryder: “He’s doing well, we just have to decide what we are doing next. Hoping to get a race or a qualifier. The way they go in qualifiers, I don’t particularly care which it is.”
Breeding: Captain Crunch-TwinkleLast Race: 6/8/2024 – Wbsb – N.A. Cup elimination – 5th (1:51) |
| 10 |
Nuclear($107,920 – 1:48.4) |
A. Miller, J. HollowayVal D’Or Farms |
Burst onto the scene a week ago with a flashy 1:48.4 score in his first start of the year. Where’s he been, Joe? Holloway: “He is getting past a case of atrial fibrillation. He got a great trip [in his win] and now is good to go.” Nuclear will take this week off.
Breeding: Always B Miki-Can’tgetenuffofyouLast Race: 6/14/2024 – M1 – NW2 – 1st (1:48.4) |
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 |
| 5/4 | PaSS | Mea | Rush In
Booming Economy Captain Fear Not |
L. Toscano
R. Burke K. Troy |
D. Palone
M. Wilder J. Indof |
Timeisonmyside
Tenacious Hanover LYONS BENJAMIN |
Solid Character
Hugh Heston Solar Solution |
1:50.1
1:51.4 1:51.2 |
| 5/4 | NJSS | M1 | Arbitrage Hanover
Endofstory |
B. Pelling
D. Dilloian Jr. |
T. McCarthy
T. McCarthy |
BETTER IS NICE
Royal Desire |
Alritealritealrite
Ain’t Nostopn Time |
1:51.4
1:51.1 |
| 5/11
|
Pa All-Stars | PcD | Solid Character
GEM QUALITY IVY PARK Women Layer |
R. Burke
C. Ryder N. Takter B. Pelling |
D. Miller
D. Dunn Y. Gingras T. McCarthy |
Target Aquired
Timeisonmyside Armada Hanover Southwind Celcius |
Solar Solution
Dream Bird Captain Fear Not Americagreatagain |
1:51.3
1:53 1:51.3 1:51.3 |
| 5/11 | NJSS | M1 | Arbitrage Hanover
Endofstory |
B. Pelling
D. Dilloian Jr. |
T. McCarthy
T. McCarthy |
Bonaparte
Mr Three O Five |
BETTER IS NICE
Royal Desire |
1:51
1:50.4 |
| 5/18 | PaSS | PcD | Sweet Beach Life
CAPTAIN ALBANO Rush In GEM QUALITY |
T. Alexander
N. Daley L. Toscano C. Ryder |
M. Kakaley
T. McCarthy S. Zeron D. Dunn |
Solid Character
IVY PARK CAPTAIN SKIPPY Armada Hanover |
Tenacious Hanover
ITS SATURDAY NIGHT LYONS BENJAMIN Lou’s World |
1:50.4
1:50.4 1:50.2 1:51 |
| 5/25 | NJSS Final | M1 | Arbitrage Hanover | B. Pelling | T. McCarthy | BETTER IS NICE | Mr Three O Five | 1:49.1 |
| 5/26 | PaSS | Phl | Rush In
CAPTAIN SKIPPY CAPTAIN ALBANO |
L. Toscano
A. Svanstedt N. Daley |
S. Zeron
D. Dunn T. McCarthy |
IVY PARK
Southwind Celcius GEM QUALITY |
LYONS BENJAMIN
Armada Hanover ITS SATURDAY NIGHT |
1:49.4
1:50.2 1:49.4 |
| 6/1 | Somebchsomewhere | Wbsb | FUNTIME BAYAMA
NIJINSKY |
R. Moreau
A. Beaton |
S. Filion
L. Roy |
LEGENDARY HANOVER
CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS |
Fast Louie
NEWSROOM |
1:49.1
1:49 |
| 6/8 | N.A. Cup eliminations | Wbsb | CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS
FUNTIME BAYAMA NIJINSKY |
H. Holland
R. Moreau A. Beaton |
J. Jamieson
S. Filion L. Roy |
CAPTAIN ALBANO
LEGENDARY HANOVER STORM SHADOW |
IVY PARK
CAPTAIN LUKE TOTAL STRANGER |
1:49.1
1:50.1 1:50.2 |
| 6/15 | N.A. Cup final | Wbsb | NIJINSKY | A. Beaton | L. Roy | CAPTAIN’S QUARTERS | FUNTIME BAYAMA | 1:48.1 |
| 621 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/28 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 7/6 | Meadowlands Pace elims | M1 | ||||||
| 7/13 | Meadowlands Pace Final | M1 |
Track Conditions
Updated
03/22/2025
Fast
Variant: -1
41°F