By finishing 1-2-3 in both the elimination and final of last weekend's North America Cup, Odds On Mr Mamba, Brandon Blvd and Beau Jangles sit atop -- in that order -- the eighth edition of Dave Little's weekly "Road to the Meadowlands Pace" rankings.
The North America Cup winner rose to the top spot with an elimination win and stays at the top of the heap after taking Canada’s big one.
“He shipped into Mohawk like a champion. He ate his food and drank. Shipping can knock horses right off their game," commented trainer Melanie Wrenn. "Nearing the wire in the Cup, James [MacDonald] said he found another gear. He wants to win. It was a fun weekend. We’ll race in Indiana in Sire Stakes on the 26th.”
Runner-up Brandon Blvd raced giant from post 10, pleasing his connections.
“I’m thrilled with the horse. He couldn’t have raced any better. That’s the problem with the 10-hole, you can’t make your own luck," said trainer Andrew Harris. "He’ll take two weeks off. He just paced three starts in a row in 1:48.1. How much sharper does he have to get?”
Beau Jangles put in another big try, but finished third for a second straight start, behind Odds On Mr Mamba and Brandon Blvd once again.
“I thought he got a great drive. He was in a place to win this time. Brandon Blvd went the best of all three of them. Odds On Mr Mamba had a perfect trip behind him," said trainer Dr. Ian Moore. "I checked everything, and my horse, he’s good. His next start will be a week from Saturday in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold.”
The Top 10 rankings are compiled by Meadowlands Racetrack's TV host Dave Little and are scheduled to be released every Thursday until the July 4 eliminations for the 50th edition of the Meadowlands Pace, which will be contested on July 11.
To view the complete list, click here. (All earnings are reported in USD).
(With files from Meadowlands Racetrack)