by Bob Heyden

East Rutherford, NJ — Always A Virgin won his elimination and is now the favorite to win the 31st edition of the Meadowlands Pace.

Driver Brian Sears handled him perfectly in the prep and now goes for his second Pace win (Rocknroll Hanover in 2005). Meadowlands top 5 all-time leading trainer Joe Holloway looks for his first Pace score.

Running Book uncorked the biggest surprise of the night (40-1 odds, 1:48.4 clocking) and has to be considered a frontrunner, especially with the post position selection guaranteeing an inside draw.

Artriverderci came through with one of his best miles ever and driver John Campbell looks for his eighth Pace win. Rene Laarman/Bruce Saunders have done a splendid job with this colt, who clearly is still looking at his best days ahead.

Kenneth J took the longest route in his elimination and held on for fourth. Driver Ron Pierce won the 1997 Pace with Dream Away; trainer Linda Toscano makes her Pace debut.

Tell All needed the trip over the Meadowlands track last week and he should be tighter in the final. Blair Burgess has hit the board in every Meadowlands Pace and Hambletonian he has appeared in. In five Pace starts, he is 2-1-2.

After a few rocky weeks, Sutter Hanover went on an air-out mission in the elims and made the final. Trainer Mark Harder pulled off the biggest upset in Pace history with Holborn Hanover in 2004.

Southwind Lynx gave a strong account of himself (third) considering that he had not raced in four weeks.

Pandoras Sox has stepped up his game at an opportune time. He posted bookend :26.3 quarters in last week’s elimination.

Sent off at 70-1, Trueys Legacy held on well after racing first-over in his elimination. Driver Mike Vanderkemp makes his Pace debut.

Watta Hotshot was a surprise third in the North America Cup. He might be a longshot, but as Holborn Hanover proved in 2004, anything can happen in the Pace.

This Week, Last Week, Early Line, Horse, Trainer, Owner
1, 3, 9-5, Always A Virgin, Joe Holloway, Bluewood Stable, Roll The Dice Stable, Val D’Or Farms
2, not ranked, 4-1, Running Book, Bill Elliott, Antonio Chiaravalle
3, 5, 9-2, Artriverderci, Bruce Saunders, Glenview Livestock Ltd.
4, 4, 6-1, Kenneth J, Linda Toscano, Ken Jacobs
5, 1, 8-1, Tell All, Blair Burgess, My Desire Stable
6, 6, 10-1, Sutter Hanover, Mark Harder, Sampson Street, Deena Frost, Fox Hollow Farm
7, 8, 12-1, Southwind Lynx, George Teague, K & R Racing LLC, Teague Inc.
8, 10, 15-1, Pandoras Sox, Joe Poliseno, Blaso Farms
9, not ranked, 20-1, Trueys Legacy, Noel Daley, Darius Oshidar & Michael Nelin
10, not ranked, 30-1, Watta Hotshot, Wayne Whebby, Wayne Whebby