The first of this season’s major stakes for three-year-old pacers is in the books and its result made little change to Mark McKelvie’s ‘Road to the Pepsi North America Cup’ rankings.
Tall Dark Stranger and Papi Rob Hanover delivered a memorable stretch battle in last Saturday’s Meadowlands Pace, with Tall Dark Stranger battling back at the inside for the victory. The outstanding performances by the sport’s two most-talked about sophomore pacers keeps them at the top of McKelvie’s rankings.
The local scene will heat up again this weekend, as two $104,800 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions will take place this Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Tattoo Artist, the top-ranked local horse on the list, had last week off, which therefore left the spotlight for locals Beaumond Hanover and Indictable Hanover. Each of the glamour boys shined and thus have improved their positions this week.
All three will compete this Saturday at Mohawk.
Casie Coleman-Herlihy’s Indictable Hanover and Ron Burke’s The Greek Freak are the two additions to this week’s top-10. The full list, including honourable mentions, can be found below.
Mark McKelvie’s Road to the Pepsi North America Cup – Week 2 Rankings
1. Tall Dark Stranger (Last Week: 1)
Owner(s): Crawford Farms Racing, Marvin Katz, Caviart Farms and Howard Taylor
Trainer: Nancy Takter
Driver: Yannick Gingras
Retains the top spot after giving up the lead at the head the stretch and showing his incredible determination to battle back and win the final of the Meadowlands Pace. An instant classic of a race and a performance that’ll be talked about for a long time.
2. Papi Rob Hanover (Last Week: 2)
Owner(s): David McDuffee
Trainer: Brett Pelling
Driver: David Miller
Went a massive mile in the Meadowlands Pace to finish second. It’s a runner-up finish that stings after grabbing the lead, but being unable to close it out and letting his rival battle back. He’s had zero post position luck to this point. He’s not going away and will be battling for the top all season. Heads now to the Adios eliminations as a clear favourite.
3. Tattoo Artist (Last Week: 3)
Owner(s): Frank Cannon & Let It Ride Stables
Trainer: Dr. Ian Moore
Driver: Bob McClure/Louis Philippe Roy
Enjoyed another week off. He will be returning to the track this Saturday in search of a fourth consecutive victory. Faces his toughest challenge to date in a stacked Ontario Sires Stakes Gold event.
4. Allywag Hanover (Last Week: 4)
Owner(s): Allywag Stable
Trainer: Brett Pelling
Driver: Tim Tetrick
Never saw the pylons in the Meadowlands Pace and finished a strong third. Won’t get talked about much coming out of that race, but finishing third (by a length) to a pair of superstars further proved his legitimacy as a major player.
5. Beaumond Hanover (Last Week: 6)
Owner(s): Jack Darling Stables
Trainer: Jack Darling
Driver: Jody Jamieson
Posted another impressive sub-1:50 victory on Saturday night. The OSS Gold winner is three for five on the season, with all three wins having come in sub-1:50 fashion. Didn’t appear to break a sweat in his most recent. Ready for a big OSS showdown on Saturday.
6. Indictable Hanover (Last Week: Honourable Mention)
Owner(s): West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mac Nichol
Trainer: Casie Coleman-Herlihy
Driver: Jonathan Drury/Bob McClure
Was on the cusp of making the first Top-10 rankings, but left little doubt that he belongs after arguably his best performance to date on Saturday night. Stormed by rivals with a powerful :25.3 final quarter to win in a career-best 1:49.4. He’s now four for five on the season and the fact that he’s the most inexperienced horse on the list speaks volumes about where he could end up, considering he appears to be getting better with every start.
7. Captain Kirk (Last Week: 8)
Owner(s): Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant and Captain Kirk Racing
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Dexter Dunn/Joe Bongiorno
Had the impossible mission of Post 10 in the Meadowlands Pace, but made sure everyone knew he was there. Made the front from the ten hole while posting a wicked :25.4 opener. Tired and finished seventh. He’s shown big speed through just three starts this season. Expect him to be in the mix for any big dance this season.
8. Captain Barbossa (Last Week: 9)
Owner(s): Alagnafrankinthegym Stabl, Robert LeBlanc and David Anderson
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Andrew McCarthy/Brian Sears
Posted a fifth-place finish in the Meadowlands Pace. Got away well in the two-hole behind his stablemate, but was getting a shuffle back approaching three-quarters before escaping to the outside. Raced well to grab a fifth. Hard to say he’s ever had a bad race. Just like his stablemate, he’s going to be in the hunt.
9. The Greek Freak (Last Week: Not Rated)
Owner(s): Burke Racing, Piatt Racing, JandT Silva Purnel & Libb
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Matt Kakaley
Debuts on this list after posting a third consecutive victory on Saturday, capturing a PASS division at the Meadows. Had some big hype around him early last year after sparkling performances in baby races, but just couldn’t get over the hump when it was time to do it for real. Started his career 0 for 10. Found the winner’s circle in his second start of this season and hasn’t lost since, including two PASS scores.
10. Groovy Joe (Last Week: 10)
Owner(s): Hutt Racing Stable, Blake MacIntosh, Ozzie MacKay & Hoofbid Racing
Trainer: Blake MacIntosh
Driver: Matt Kakaley/James MacDonald
No change in his position on the rankings after having a week off. His last start was a 1:48.4 victory in a New York Sire Stakes event. Look forward to seeing if he carries the momentum to his next start and can be the player he was anticipated to be.
Honourable Mention (alphabetical order):
Beach Blanket Book (Last Week: Honourable Mention)
Owner(s): Hutt Racing Stable & Mac and Heim Stables
Trainer: Blake MacIntosh
Driver: Doug McNair
Finished second to Beaumond Hanover on Saturday. He’s had a real nice start to the season, posting three wins in five starts. Only losses were races won by Tattoo Artist and ‘Beaumond.’ Doesn’t let rivals get by him in the lane -- he’s a battler.
Capt Midnight (Last Week: 5)
Owner(s): Marvin Katz, Kenneth Jacobs, Brad Grant and Capt Midnight Racing
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Andrew McCarthy
The Meadowlands Pace was not a great experience for Capt Midnight. Ninth in the elimination and then eighth-placed ninth in the final. He had never been outside the Top-5 in 11 starts prior. No chance you can count him out, but for now he’s on the outside looking in.
Catch The Fire (Last Week: Honourable Mention)
Owner(s): Ct Stables
Trainer: John Ackley
Driver: Mike Wilder
Hooked wheels briefly with Capt Midnight coming out of the last turn and finished sixth in the Meadowlands Pace. Here’s the kind of horse that might not get much buzz, but if he shows up you expect he’ll be in the mix. Hopefully we will see him continue to chase the big dances.
Elver Hanover (Last Week: 7)
Owner(s): Burke Racing Stable, Bridgette Jablonsky, Jason Melillo, JandT Silva Purnel & Libb
Trainer: Ron Burke
Driver: Chris Page
Had his undefeated streak snapped on Saturday, finishing a well-beaten second in an Ohio Sires Stakes to a horse that won in 1:48.4. He was a world champion at two, but he’s never been in one of the big dances. Weren’t entirely sure where he stacked up before, but after a loss in his second start of the season, now the intrigue will be high for how he responds.
Sea Of Life (Last Week: Not Rated)
Owner(s): Brittany Farms, Marvin Katz, Brad Grant, Captain Kirk Racing
Trainer: Tony Alagna
Driver: Scott Zeron/Andrew McCarthy
Posted the fastest mile of the three PASS divisions on Saturday at the Meadows, winning in 1:50. He’s now posted a win and two seconds in three starts this season. Went 1 for 12 as a rookie, but capped off his year with a runner-up finish in the Kindergarten final. Wasn’t on the radar like his notable stablemates, but quickly becoming one to keep an eye on.
(Woodbine Mohawk Park)