East Rutherford, NJ – Beau Jangles remained No. 1 in the fourth edition of Dave Little’s weekly Road to The Meadowlands Pace Top 10 poll off a powerhouse win at his home track of Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The Top 4 remained intact, while a new horse – from the Nancy Takter barn – broke into the fray at No. 10.
ROAD TO THE MEADOWLANDS PACE
Week 4 (of 10) – Thursday, May 21
The Meadowlands Pace is on Saturday, July 11, at The Meadowlands.
| Rank | Horse (Earnings – Mark) | Driver, Trainer, Owner(s) | Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) comments |
| 1 | Beau Jangles ($1,284,439 – 1:48.3) | B. McClure, Dr. I. Moore Graham Grace Stables LLC, Kiwi Stables LLC, Bolton Stables | Was his 9½-length romp at Mohawk in the Ontario SBOA final stupendous? Or does that word sell the effort short? Was it too much? Moore: “That was not me. That’s on Bobby. He said he never really asked him. He gave him his head and he took off on his own. That effort impressed me a little bit, too. He’s in to go Saturday in the Ontario Sire Stakes Gold. That means he will have raced 3 weeks in a row. That will be enough for me. Then, we’ll give him 4 or 5 days off, then get him ready for the North America Cup.” Breeding: Cattlewash-Mrs Major Hill Last Race: 5/16/2026 – Wbsb – Ontario SBOA final – 1st (1:49.3) |
| 2 | Odds On Mr Mamba ($314,405 – 1:47.4) | D. Dunn, M. Wrenn Odds On Racing | Qualified in the slop to get ready for his first start of the year. Was that a less-than-ideal circumstance? Wrenn: “The weather wasn’t good for his last qualifier, but it’s crunch time. He raced against some good older horses and was cookin’ in the last eighth-of-a-mile. We’re very much looking forward to his first start (in the Indiana Sires Stakes on May 25).” Breeding: Odds On Equuleus-Honky Tonk Woman Last Race: 5/16/2026 – HoP – Qualifier – 1st (1:53.2) |
| 3 | Gentleman’s Club ($248,506 – 1:50.2) | A. McCarthy, A. Lambert Anthony Licastro | Lambert: “He’s in Saturday in the Poconos, in the same race, same class as his last start. There’s nothing I don’t like (about that spot). He fits and doesn’t have to go up against horses older than 4. he seems great.” Breeding: Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers Last Race: 5/9/2026 – PcD – W4-7PM – 1st (1:52.3) |
| 4 | Brandon Blvd ($439,397 – 1:48.4) | D. Dunn, A. Harris Punisher 11 Stable LLC | The trainer wanted a qualifier that would keep his horse “nice and tight.” Was it mission accomplished? Harris: “he was good. He had the ear plugs in, and Dex said he did it all on his own. You want to go faster every start. They’ll probably go 1:48 in the Somebeachsomewhere, that’s his next stop.” Breeding: Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith Last Race: 5/15/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 5 | Melillo ($408,840 – 1:48.4) | T. Tetrick, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Jason Melillo, Weaver Bruscemi LLC | Solid 2nd to stablemate Another C Note, who is a perfect 6-for-6 this year. The strongest performance of the Burke Brigade horses. “I thought he was good,” said Burke. “But my horses need to get better quicker. I’m not totally happy. He’s in next on Sunday at Chester (Harrah’s Philadelphia).” Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose Last Race: 5/16/2026 – PcD – PaSS – 2nd (1:51) |
| 6 | Bookie J ($243,368 – 1:50) | D. Dunn, C. Ryder Ken Jacobs | Failed to outsprint the horse in front of him when fourth in his qualifier, but that’s forgivable. He was chasing stablemate Twin B Joe Fresh. Ryder: “We kept him tight. Scott (Zeron) was nice enough to drive him and he didn’t chase him. He didn’t bother trying to keep up. We don’t really know how he’ll do against the better horses in the division until he faces them.” Breeding: Perfect Sting-Skyy Last Race: 5/15/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 4th (1:51.4) |
| 7 | Ubrute ($370,907 – 1:49.4) | T. Tetrick, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Hatfield Stables, Phil Collura | Failed to impress after making a bold move to three-quarters, only to finish a well-beaten third in the Poconos. Burke: “That was a horribly bad trip for him, the worst-case scenario on a five-eighths-mile track. Those tracks are the trickiest. He’s getting the week off.” Breeding: Tall Dark Stranger-Warrawee Ubeaut Last Race: 5/16/2026 – PcD – Pa Stallion Series – 3rd (1:51.2) |
| 8 | Al Papi ($411,500 – 1:48.1) | Y. Gingras, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, Lawrence Karr, Weaver Bruscemi LLC | Swung three-wide into the stretch but did not fire at Pocono in an unimpressive effort. Burke: “His race was a different story from Ubrute. He came out of the race a little sore. We think this week will be the start of a turnaround for us. He’s in Sunday at Chester.” Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Baron Remy Last Race: 5/16/2026 – PcD – PaSS – 5th (1:50.4) |
| 9 | Windor ($176,655 – 1:51.2) | D. McNair, M. Vanderkemp Dianna Secord | Raced OK while finishing third Saturday. Both of his starts this year have been fine, but he will have to step things up moving forward. Is in Saturday at Mohawk. McNair: “He was good Saturday. He’s still not 100% yet coming back from being sick. I think when’s he’s all the way back, he’ll be the second or third-best horse in the division in Ontario.” Breeding: Bulldog Hanover-Winx Last Race: 5/16/2026 – Wbsb – Ontario SBOA final – 3rd (1:51.3) |
| 10 | Always B Charlie ($15,685 – 1:51) | S. Zeron, N. Takter Upstart Racing | Had to rough it first-over for the final three-eighths before recording a determined score at Pocono. Takter: “I really liked him last year but he hurt himself in the paddock and missed the summer. He’s only had two starts this year but they were both very good. Hopefully, I can keep him going in the right direction. On Sunday at Chester, that will be a little bit more of a test for him. The Meadowlands Pace? That’s definitely the goal.” Breeding: Always B Miki-My Little Delight Last Race: 5/16/2026 – PcD – Pa Stallion Series – 1st (1:51) |
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 |
| 5/2 | 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 | ||||||
| 5/24 | PaSS | Phl | ||||||
| 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 |