Rushing to the lead past the quarter, 2-5 favourite Tall Dark Stranger fended off all challengers to take the lone $50,000 Meadowlands Pace elimination on Saturday (July 11).
Over a damp track rated “good”, Tall Dark Stranger cleared command from Major Betts following a :26.1 first quarter. Capt Midnight, leaving from post 9, parked rounding the first turn and soon committed to grind uncovered towards the pacesetter. Papi Rob Hanover, away eighth early, angled off the pylons to catch Capt Midnight’s cover while Tall Dark Stranger rolled past a :54.4 half.
Tall Dark Stranger maintained a length-and-a-quarter advantage circling the final turn while Capt Midnight matched strides with Major Betts, who raced in the pocket. Clipping three-quarters in 1:22.1, Tall Dark Stranger accelerated into the stretch as Capt Midnight faltered between horses. Papi Rob Hanover rallied three wide while a seam opened at the pylons for Captain Kirk. Sitting on Major Betts helmet through the mile, Captain Kirk shot through the gap to challenge Tall Dark Stranger late, but the Nancy Takter trainee held firm to the finish of a 1:48.1 mile.
Winning his 10th race from 11 starts, Tall Dark Stranger has earned $751,889 for owners Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor. Yannick Gingras steered the son of Bettors Delight who paid $2.80 to win.
Papi Rob Hanover finished third while Captain Barbossa took fourth. Manticore, Major Betts, Catch The Fire and Roll With Jr also advance to the final next week. They join Allywag Hanover and Chief Mate, who opted for byes.
Following the ninth race, the post draw occurred for the $631,650 Meadowlands Pace final. Tall Dark Stranger, with winning the elimination, drew from posts 1-6. The field as they will align on Saturday (July 18) appears below:
PP-Horse (Driver, Trainer)-ML
1-Roll With Jr (Corey Callahan, Jeff Cullipher)-20/1
2-Catch The Fire (Mike Wilder, John Ackley)-10/1
3-Captain Barbossa (Brian Sears, Tony Alagna)-10/1
4-Allywag Hanover (Tim Tetrick, Brett Pelling)-5/1
5-Tall Dark Stranger (Yannick Gingras, Nancy Takter)-7/5
6-Manticore (Jordan Stratton, Bruce Saunders)-15/1
7-Chief Mate (Andrew McCarthy, Tony Alagna)-20/1
8-Major Betts (Dexter Dunn, Mark Harder)-10/1
9-Papi Rob Hanover (David Miller, Brett Pelling)-4/1
10-Captain Kirk (Joe Bongiorno, Tony Alagna)-15/1
Although Tall Dark Stranger
Although Tall Dark Stranger won fairly decisively, you've got to wonder if the result would have been any different if it was Papi Rob Hanover that had the 3-hole and TDS was saddled with PP 10.