Meadowlands: Defections create new Meadowlands Pace opportunity

Much of the news this week centered around which horses would not be entered in the Meadowlands Pace. On Tuesday (June 30) there were 13 horses in the box. Beau Jangles, the 2025 Horse of the Year, and Odds On Mr Mamba, the North America Cup champion, were both absent from the list, but that news perhaps influenced some additional horses, including the surprising and expensive supplement of Obliterate.

Due to the rules of the Meadowlands Pace, just 10 horses will go in a single $50,000 elimination on Saturday (July 4), with three of the 13 taking byes into the $810K-plus final on July 11.

Carded as race seven on an 11-race all-stakes program, the Meadowlands Pace elimination features a new mix of horses; some that raced in the North America Cup and others that were missing from the final. Gentleman's Club, a son of Downbytheseaside, didn't qualify for the Cup, but his return to action at the Meadowlands last week caught many by surprise. The sophomore, trained by Aaron Lambert, scorched the Meadowlands in a 1:47 4/5 career-best clocking while competing against other Meadowlands Pace eligibles.

"He's right where I wanted him to be at this time," said Lambert, stressing that the colt was fresh and ready after a few days of rest and will train an easy trip on Wednesday (July 1).

While three horses - all from the Ron Burke stable - took byes into the final (Al Papi, Lindy Dragonwater and Melillo), Gentleman's Club was not among them.

"I wasn't given the option," said Lambert. "But if I had been I probably would have wanted to race anyway."

Only those racing in Saturday's elimination can earn posts one through six for the rich final.

Gentleman's Club raced in the tougher of two North America Cup eliminations - the race that produced the one-two-three finishers in the final, and faded in the stretch after setting hot fractions for Andrew McCarthy. McCarthy was on assignment at The Meadows when Gentlemen's Club raced at The Meadowlands, but Dexter Dunn filled in admirably.

"Dexter was very happy with the horse and said he finished with the [ear] plugs in," Lambert said of the mile that saw Gentleman's Club make multiple moves and pace a final quarter in 26 1/5.

"It would be a dream come true," said Lambert when asked what it would mean to win the Meadowlands Pace final.

Gentleman's Club drew post four with McCarthy returning to the sulky for the assignment.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Sweet Lovin Lou figured to be one of the contenders in the North America Cup final following a 1:48 2/5 masterpiece in one of two eliminations at Woodbine Mohawk Park on June 6. Though regular pilot James MacDonald opted off, trained Dan Legace subbed with Scott Zeron and was looking forward to the final.

"Everything looked good going into the race," said Lagace. "But we found out afterwards that he had been fighting a pus pocket."

That unknown had to have an impact on the outcome of the race, as Zeron had gotten Sweet Lovin Lou into a solid outer flow right behind the race winner Odds On Mr Mamba.

With a few weeks to freshen up, Sweet Lovin Lou returned to qualify at Woodbine Mohawk Park on June 29 and looked like his old self with a 1:53 2/5 mile.

"I shipped him down to Tony Alagna's place yesterday (June 29)," said Lagace, hoping to avoid the hot weather and get the Sweet Lou-sired colt acclimated to the New Jersey climate.

Lagace plucked Sweet Lovin Lou for $70,000 at the 2024 Harrisburg sale, and the colt has already earned $233K with four wins in 13 career starts heading into Saturday's contest.

Just the second colt and fifth foal from the dam Lover's Dream, Lagace recalled how he purchased the horse.

"One of my partners (Big Al Stable) had a horse called Rouser Hanover that he said was a very fast horse," Lagace said about the half-brother to Lovers Dream. "Plus, it's hard to go wrong with Somebeachsomewhere on the dam's side and Sweet Lou as the sire."

Sweet Lovin Lou hopes to regain winning form from post two.

It cost the connections of Obliterate $66,055 to gain entry into Saturday's elimination race, but it's easy to see why they might have confidence in the son of Perfect Sting given his consecutive victories in the New Jersey Standardbred Development Fund stakes at the Meadowlands. One of two Chris Ryder-trained horses in the field, Obliterate followed up a 1:48 3/5 career-best on June 12 with a 1:49 4/5 victory in the $60,000 final on June 20. Patrick Ryder has helped guide the fortunes of Obliterate, now with three wins in his last four starts. One of three by Perfect Sting in the 10-horse field, Obliterate drew post eight.

The likely favorite for Saturday's elimination is Brandon Blvd, who will finally get some post relief after abysmal luck in both his North America Cup elimination and the final. Andrew Harris trains Brandon Blvd and Dexter Dunn will guide the Cup second-place finisher from post three. With nine wins in 14 career starts, Brandon Blvd, a son of Downbytheseaside, has been the most consistent horse in this year's sophomore class. Both of Brandon Blvd's races in Ontario saw him make multiple moves and race without cover only to be out-sprinted in the shadow of the wire.

Bookie J (post one) has captured five of his six starts this year for trainer Ryder and picks up Jason Bartlett with regular pilot Dexter Dunn opting for Brandon Blvd. Bookie J defeated another Meadowlands Pace contender Azrael Blue Chip (post nine) in the $225,000 New Jersey Sire Stakes platinum final on May 23.

Ubrute, one of two sophomores sired by 2020 Meadowlands Pace winner Tall Dark Stranger in Saturday's field, tuned up nicely with a third-place finish to Gentleman's Club a week ago. Ubrute drew post six with Yannick Gingras in the bike.

Talbot Andretti (post five), Toby Ornot Toby (post seven), and Always B Charlie (post 10) round out the field. Only the top seven horses reach the Meadowlands Pace final.

The Saturday Meadowlands card commences earlier than normal with a 6:00 P.M. (EDT) post time to accommodate a fireworks show scheduled for after the final race.