Prince Hal Hanover Jumps Up Five Spots in Week 4 of Dave Little’s 2025 Road to the Meadowlands Pace
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Off a lifetime-best 1:49.3 score last week at Pocono Downs, the Dr. Ian Moore-trained Prince Hal Hanover made a big move in Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace poll, as the son of Captaintreacherous-Percy Bluechip jumped up from No. 9 to No. 4 in the weekly Top 10.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 4 (of 10) – Thursday, May 22
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 ($778,460 – 1:48.4) | R. Wrenn Jr., R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Phillip Collura, Lawrence R. Karr | Dominated a short field after being permitted to cut a slow half. Burke: “He could have gone a lot more. He’s sharp right now. I’d like to race him out of a hole. Hopefully, we draw in tougher Sunday at Chester. I just want to make sure that that part of his game is good.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rockin Racer Last Race: 5/17/2025 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:50.2) |
| 2 | Captain Optimistic ($454,830 – 1:49) | D. Dunn, N. Takter 3 Brothers Stables, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms | Qualifier was of the eye-popping variety. Back half was paced in :53.4. The trainer wanted to race on the big track this week, but that’s a no-go. Takter: “The Meadowlands didn’t fill any classes for him on Saturday, so we will race him in the Pennsylvania Sire Stakes on Sunday at Chester.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Cinamony Last Race: 5/17/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 3 | Fallout ($573,200 – 1:48.4) | T. Tetrick, T. Alagna Robert J. LeBlanc, Pryde Stables Inc, Caviart Farms | Was second best to Build The Wall after sitting a three-hole, being forced three-wide at the head of the stretch, and sprinting home to just miss in a race that included several solid older performers. Alagna: “He raced really well and scoped sick afterward. He had some mucus, scoped a 4 out of 10. Nothing serious but it definitely affected his performance. That race was exactly what we had in mind. We wanted to race at The Meadowlands this week but none of the classes are going to go, so I’m calling an audible and going to Chester on Sunday.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Aria Hanover Last Race: 5/17/2025 – M1 – W4NW8 – 2nd (1:50.2) |
| 4 | Prince Hal Hanover ($312,416 – 1:49.3) | D. Miller, Dr. I. Moore Prince Hal Hanover Stable | Moves up five spots to No. 4 after stepping his game up in a big way with a lifetime-best effort in the Poconos. What’s up, Doc? Moore: “He lived up to my expectations. He relaxed pretty good once he got to the top. He’s good, that was a new record for him. We are not going to Philadelphia this week, and will go to the Somebeachsomewhere next week.” Breeding: Captaintreacherous-Percy Bluechip Last Race: 5/17/2025 – PcD – PaSS – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 5 | Papi’s Rocket ($315,763 – 1:50.4) | Y. Gingras, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Knox Services Inc, Slaughter Racing Stable LLC | Off a second consecutive failure as the favorite in PaSS action but was in a traffic jam at the head of the stretch. Burke: “If he gets out, I think he would have won. It was just a tough spot. I was happy with him.” Racing Sunday at Chester. Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Real Touch Last Race: 5/17/2025 – PcD – PaSS – 2nd (1:51.3) |
| 6 | Papis Pistol ($184,867 – 1:49.3) | A. Miller, S. DePinto Shannon C. DePinto, Chris Arvanitis, Anthony Perretti, Brad Shackman | Took the week off. DePinto: “We entered him for Saturday at The Meadowlands but they didn’t use the race, so we put him in to qualify Saturday morning and then we are off to Canada for the Somebeachsomewhere. I was concerned about his readiness but he’s got the two qualifiers and I worked him in 1:55 the other day, so I think he’ll be OK. I don’t think he’ll be short. I think he’ll be ready to roll.” Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Bang Bang Last Race: 5/10/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:52.4) |
| 7 | Manolete ($250,993 – 1:50.3) | S. Zeron, B. Saunders M and L of Delaware LLC, M & M Harness Racing LLC | Took the week off. Saunders: “I’m happy to be where we are [having drawn post one in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final on Saturday]. He had a nice, easy week. There is a ton of speed in there. How hectic things are, will determine how Scott will drive him. There are a lot of leavers in there, at least four horses outside of us who are going to be moving forward.” Breeding: Cattlewash-Glancewithme Last Race: 5/10/2025 – M1 – NJSS – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 8 | American Son ($176,815 – 1:49.3) | Y. Gingras, C. Ryder Henderson Farms | Qualified 5th at The Big M. Ryder: “I think we’re alright but it’s frustrating because we can’t get a race for the horse at The Meadowlands or Chester so I’m qualifying again on Saturday at The Meadowlands.” Breeding: American Ideal-Lady Captain Last Race: 5/17/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 5th (1:52) |
| 9 | Making History ($15,500 – 1:52.1) | B. Beckwith, T. Alagna Riverview Racing LLC | Took the week off. Alagna: “He trained very well [Tuesday] morning. [Having last week off] could not have worked out any better for us. We’re looking for good things on Saturday [in the New Jersey Sire Stakes final at The Meadowlands].” Breeding: American History-Mystery Game Last Race: 5/10/2025 – M1 – NJSS – 3rd (1:51.3) |
| 10 | Fusion ($106,322 – 1:50.4) | T. McCarthy, B. Pelling Diamond Creek Racing | Second best to Captain Optimistic in a good qualifier. Pelling: “He was very good, very willing. That’s what I like best about him. He’s going forward so I want to race him right back. He’ll race Sunday at Chester. He’s a very happy horse.” Breeding: Always B Miki-Pure Country Last Race: 5/17/2025 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:51.1) |
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 | ||||||
| 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
23
days
:
16
hrs
:
54
mins
:
47
secs
Track Conditions
Updated
06/14/2025
Fast
Variant:
Weather
East Rutherford, US
1:25 am,
June 19, 2025
72°F
clear sky