Meadowlands: Holloway hopes to 'Sting' foes in $700,000 Pace final

Returning to the races as a 3-year-old after a perfect juvenile season ramps up expectations in all corners. For Hall of Fame trainer Joe Holloway, his job has never been about making certain the son of Always B Miki would win all of his races this year but more about winning the ones that matter most. While Holloway has been responsible for many of the sport's superstars throughout his illustrious career, he has yet to send out his first Meadowlands Pace winner.

"It's definitely on my bucket list," Holloway said on Monday. "I came up from Brandywine to see the first Meadowlands Pace (1977) and I've probably seen them all."

Yet for Holloway, there have been countless attempts that have not worked out to date.

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"I would say that Red Bow Tie (1997) was my biggest disappointment," Holloway said. "He won his elimination but had a pus pocket that he was dealing with and just didn't fire in the final."

There were other years where Holloway had contenders in the race where things didn't go well from the outset. Seven years ago, Always B Miki was a fast-closing second in his Meadowlands Pace trial only to draw post nine for the final.

"It's really tough when you draw outside in this race," Holloway said. "I feel for the owners of Charlie May and American Courage."

In 2014 Always B Miki paid dearly for his dismal draw in the Meadowlands Pace.

"He was three wide most of the way," said Holloway. "It was unbelievable he was able to get second." For those who don't remember that charted line for Always B Miki shows him being three wide at every call.

For Holloway, he'll enter Saturday's Meadowlands Pace with the relief that Perfect Sting drew the pole position. "I know you can get into trouble from the rail," Holloway said, "I'll leave that to David [Miller] to work out. Still, it's a lot better than some of the others."

Following Saturday's third-place finish in his Meadowlands Pace trials some were squawking as if Perfect Sting had given a sub-par performance while losing by just a half-length to Southwind Gendry and Lawless Shadow.

"Southwind Gendry came up with a very big mile," said Holloway. "He raced much better than he did in the Sire Stakes [The Meadows on June 26]. I really don't know what people expect. He came his last quarter in 25 1/5 and that's about as much as any horse can go."

Holloway talked to David Miller following the effort and revealed that his driver was happy getting away in the third spot. "When he pulled past the half Mark [MacDonald, Lawless Shadow] came out briefly, so he ducked back in," said Holloway.

Perfect Sting again moved to the outside with Miller not wanting to go wide on the turn unnecessarily. That decision didn't give Perfect Sting much momentum and when horses are sprinting sub-26 quarters it's incredibly hard to make up much ground.

While it was the first third-place finish in Perfect Sting's career, it was hardly a reason for anyone to lose confidence in the colt heading into richest pacing event for 3-year-olds to date.

"I was very happy with the way he came out of the race," said Holloway. "As to how fast we'll train him this week that will depend on him. I'd like to go around 2:15, but if we get to the half in 1:07 it will be faster than that. He'll tell me for sure."

For Holloway, years of experience has given him an edge of sorts and he's pretty certain that Saturday's finale will look nothing like last weekend's elimination races.

"I think you will see a lot of horses leaving the gate," Holloway said. "I have to think the two, four and five will all be leaving."

Holloway was referring to surprise elimination winner Hellabalou as well as fellow elim victor Southwind Gendry, and Lawless Shadow.

"If there's one horse I'm most concerned with it's Southwind Gendry. That horse raced the hardest in the Breeders Crown and Summa Cum Laude was able to sit and make one run late," said Holloway. "He's a tough horse."

Ironically Southwind Gendry and Perfect Sting may both have the same thing in mind and that is winning the Meadowlands Pace for their first-crop sire Always B Miki, who may have deserved it in 2014 but couldn't overcome multiple obstacles.

Regardless of how well Southwind Gendry performs, Holloway is focused on his horse and he's expecting him to show up in the early going.

"There's no question he can step out of the gate at the start and go a 25 quarter," said Holloway, likely hoping that last year's undefeated colt will still get some respect in the early stages of this critical race.

Last year's Meadowlands Pace turned into a two-horse race, with Yannick Gingras and Tall Dark Stranger getting the better of Papi Rob Hanover in a prolonged stretch duel. In that mile Gingras was on the front end and Miller the pursuer without cover. The tables may be switched this year given Perfect Sting's post position and his penchant for racing on or very near the lead. What gives Holloway some confidence coming into the race is not just that Perfect Sting is battle tested.

"He gives it his all every time," said Holloway.

Fans need to look no further than Perfect Sting's Breeders Crown victory last fall at Hoosier Park or his June 19 overnight win at The Meadowlands to witness how the colt responds to pressure.

Holloway has had more than his share of bad luck before and during the Meadowlands Pace. In 1995 Jenna's Beach Boy was the best colt in training but suffered a minor injury right before the North America Cup and would miss the Meadowlands Pace that year. Despite missing two key races Jenna's Beach Boy won 14 of 16 starts that year and earned over $1 million.

Perhaps this is the right year for Perfect Sting and Holloway. Having already lost a few races and descended into second-choice status in the morning-line, expectations on the outside have been naturally lowered for the colt. Saturday would be a perfect time to make a statement.