East Rutherford, NJ – Eight of the horses in Dave Little’s Road to the Meadowlands Pace presented by Genova Burns Top 10 poll will be racing Saturday night (June 6) at Woodbine Mohawk Park in two eliminations for the C$1 million North America Cup, which will no doubt go a long way toward giving handicappers an indication of who might win the 50th edition of The Meadowlands’ signature event on the second Saturday in July.
Week 6 (of 10) – Thursday, June 4
| Rank | Horse (Earnings – Mark) | Driver, Trainer, Owner(s) | Dave Little’s (and trainer’s) comments |
| 1 | Beau Jangles ($1,334,839 – 1:48.3) | B. McClure, Dr. I. Moore Graham Grace Stables LLC, Kiwi Stables LLC, Bolton Stables | Will depart from post 7 in the second North America Cup elimination (Race 9 at Mohawk Saturday night). Amazing that most of the better horses drew into your elimination, no? Moore: “It’s going to happen sometime. If not this time, next time. Things aren’t like they used to be. Horses used to come in with 4, 5 or 6 starts. Some of these have just 1, 2 or 3. My colt trained super (Wednesday).” Breeding: Cattlewash-Mrs Major Hill Last Race: 5/23/2026 – Wbsb – Ontario Sire Stakes Gold – 1st (1:50.3) |
| 2 | Odds On Mr Mamba ($362,405 – 1:47.4) | J. MacDonald, M. Wrenn Odds On Racing | Made his lone start of the year on May 25. He crushed on his home turf. Now, he’s in Ontario where he has drawn post 4 in the second Cup elim. Dexter Dunn has opted to drive Brandon Blvd. So, who’s it going to be, Melanie? Wrenn: “My husband, Peter, he told me he has the guy.” It’s five-time defending O’Brien Driver of the Year James MacDonald. “Saturday is going to be nerve-racking for sure.” Breeding: Odds On Equuleus-Honky Tonk Woman Last Race: 5/25/2026 – HoP – Indiana Sire Stakes – 1st (1:49) |
| 3 | Brandon Blvd ($489,977 – 1:48.1) | D. Dunn, A. Harris Punisher 11 Stable LLC | Could he be any tighter off a lifetime-best effort in the Somebeachsomewhere? Harris: “I was very happy with him in the Somebeachsomewhere. It was kind of what we prepped for and he took care of business. I think we have as good a chance in the Cup as anyone.” Has drawn post 8 in elim two. Breeding: Downbytheseaside-Alexis Faith Last Race: 5/30/2026 – Wbsb – Somebeachsomewhere – 1st (1:48.1) |
| 4 | Gentleman’s Club ($256,481 – 1:50.2) | A. McCarthy, A. Lambert Anthony Licastro | Second-best to grizzled veteran Captain Luke in what was another good prep race. Lambert: “He’s faced good horses in his last two starts. Older horses. That’s what we wanted to do at the start of the year. He’s in great shape.” Will depart from post 1 in the second elim. Breeding: Downbytheseaside-See You At Peelers Last Race: 5/30/2026 – M1 – NW$10,500 – 2nd (1:49) |
| 5 | Melillo ($427,507 – 1:48.4) | R. Wrenn Jr., R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Jason Melillo, Weaver Bruscemi LLC | Skipped last week after a powerhouse lifetime-best win at Chester. Has drawn post 3 in the second elim. Burke: “He’s very good. He’s in the tougher division.” Would it be better if the horses were seeded to make for evenly-matched eliminations? “To win these races, you have to beat these horses, so, it’s no big deal.” Breeding: Sweet Lou-Rosemary Rose Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 1st (1:48.4) |
| 6 | Bookie J ($355,868 – 1:50) | D. Dunn, C. Ryder Ken Jacobs | Ryder: “Bookie J is doing well. I am pointing him toward the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund final on June 20.” The trainer has another Pace eligible who figures to make noise this season: Show Me Your Ace, who sparkled in his seasonal debut last Saturday in 1:51.2. “With him, I’m trying to decide between the Meadowlands Pace and the Kentucky SS.” Breeding: Perfect Sting-Skyy Last Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 1st (1:50.2) |
| 7 | Ubrute ($370,907 – 1:49.4) | Y. Gingras, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, Hatfield Stables, Phil Collura | Qualified second to Smooth Dream – who went 8-for-8 last year at The Big M – in 1:51. Has drawn post 5 in the 2nd elimination. Burke: “For his qualifier, the track was dead. I think on Saturday he’ll be handled more aggressively.” Breeding: Tall Dark Stranger-Warrawee Ubeaut Last Race: 5/29/2026 – M1 – Qualifier – 2nd (1:51) |
| 8 | Al Papi ($415,980 – 1:48.1) | Y. Gingras, R. Burke Burke Racing Stable LLC, J&T Silva – Purnel & Libby, Lawrence Karr, Weaver Bruscemi LLC | None of his three performances this year have been exceptional, it’s time for him to lift his game. He’s in the first elim and leaves from post 5. Burke is optimistic: “He was actually good in his last start. He trained vicious the other day. We’re almost there.” Breeding: Papi Rob Hanover-Baron Remy Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 3rd (1:50.4) |
| 9 | Always B Charlie ($25,018 – 1:51) | S. Zeron, N. Takter Upstart Racing | Will not head to the North America Cup. Inexperienced sort who raced only once at 2, but has looked good so far this year, winning 2 of 3, the lone loss coming at the hands of the unbeaten (in 2026) Another C Note. Racing on Saturday in an overnight at Pocono. Breeding: Always B Miki-My Little Delight Last Race: 5/24/2026 – Phl – Pennsylvania Sire Stakes – 2nd (1:50.4) |
| 10 | Azrael Blue Chip ($147,030 – 1:51) | A. McCarthy, B. Odza CT Stables LLC | After his solid slop second in the NJSS, he took the week off and is now heading to Mohawk, where he’s drawn post 3 in the first elim. Odza: “I’m pumped. More pumped that I’m in the other division (He was kidding). He’s had a great week and I think this will be a good test for him.” Breeding: Perfect Sting-Bathsheba Last Race: 5/23/2026 – M1 – New Jersey Sire Stakes final – 2nd (1:50.2) |
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 | BOOKIE J | C. Ryder | D. Dunn | AZRAEL BLUE CHIP | Thisbeestings Deo | 1:50.2 |
| 5/24 | PaSS | Phl | MELILLO Another C Note Papi Rick | R. Burke R. Burke N. Daley | T. Tetrick Y. Gingras A. McCarthy | Easy Breeze ALWAYS B CHARLIE Sneaky Squeaky | TALBOT ANDRETTI Thai Hanover AL PAPI | 1:48.4 1:50.3 1:50.3 |
| 5/30 | Somebeachsomewhr | Wbsb | BRANDON BLVD | A. Harris | J. Bartlett | SWEET LOVIN LOU | No Waitlist | 1:48.1 |
| 6/6 | N.A. Cup elims | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/13 | N.A. Cup final | Wbsb | ||||||
| 6/19 | Messenger elims | YR | ||||||
| 6/26 | Messenger final | YR | ||||||
| 7/4 | Meadowlands Pace elims | M1 | ||||||
| 7/11 | Meadowlands Pace final | M1 |