New Jersey Classic champion Big Jim has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favourite for the $1 million Meadowlands Pace, which will be contested Saturday, July 16 at the Meadowlands Racetrack
in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Owned by James Carr of Hamilton, Ont. and trained by James ‘Friday’ Dean, Big Jim, the 2010 Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year both north and south of the border, silenced some of his critics last weekend in his ‘Pace’ elimination. Driven by Phil Hudon, the bay Western Ideal colt made the lead before the opening half-mile and was tops the rest of the way, as he went on to record a three-quarters of one length win in 1:50.
"[Post two] is what Phil Hudon wanted," Carr was quoted as saying by the Meadowlands' publicity department. The owner, jokingly, went on to say, "I wanted post seven because he's never lost from there."
The George Teague, Jr.-trained and Montrell Teague-driven Dragon Again colt Custard The Dragon was the other elimination winner last week, courtesy of a one-length win in 1:50.2 at upset odds of 11-1.
Custard The Dragon, who has been installed as the 4-1 second morning line choice, is owned by Ted Gewertz of New York, New York, Robert Feldman of Palm Beach, Florida, Fannin Racing LLC of Lincoln, Delaware, and George Teague Jr. Inc. of Harrington, Delaware.
The connections of the elim winners picked their horse’s post positions prior to the open draw. The connections of Big Jim won the right to pick first, and selected Post 2. The connections of Custard The Dragon then chose Post 3.
The Meadowlands Pace, the ‘Big M’s premier race for three-year-old pacers, has been carded as Race 9 and has an estimated post time of 10:08 p.m.
The field appears below.
$1 Million Meadowlands Pace
Post – Horse – Driver From Elim – Morning Line Odds
1 - Westwardho Hanover - Brett Miller - 15-1
2 - Big Jim - Phil Hudon - 2-1
3 - Custard The Dragon - Montrell Teague - 4-1
4 - Feel Like A Fool – Brian Sears - 12-1
5 - Wink N Atcha - Yannick Gingras - 15-1
6 - Powerful Mist - Andy Miller - 5-1
7 - Betterthancheddar - David Miller - 10-1
8 - Roll With Joe – Brian Sears - 6-1
9 - Bestofbest Hanover - Michel Lachance - 15-1
10 - Foreclosure N - Tim Tetrick - 8-1
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C.Renon Mr. Brunet i do
C.Renon Mr. Brunet i do believe your assumption is correct! If you want to make the elimnations count for something have only the winners back for the final
George Teague trainees have
George Teague trainees have the 3-4-5 hole which will be quite an advantage in a race of this stature. I say one of Teagues will win and Feel Like A Fool is due along with Sears.
B.T.w. Miss Magee, Jody Jamieson was interviewed by Hollywood Heyden before the races last Saturday night. His comments were that there were only 2 divisions thus only 2 good post positions gone. What was important was finishing in the top 5 to qualify for the final. It can be argued that due to unaggressive tactics the North America Cup winner is in the consolation.
The more I think about it
The more I think about it the more I question the existing policy that winners a of eliminations get to choose their PP for the final.Why would it not be more fair to have the two winners slect their PP and then the 2 second place finishers,then the third and so on.Sure the two 5th place finishers will be saddled with the 9 and 10 holes BUT...they were 5th.
In reply to The more I think about it by howard pearce
Isn't choosing their post
Isn't choosing their post position based on their placings in the elims kind of like stacking the deck? What is the incentive for the bettors?
I'm pulling for,"Roll With
I'm pulling for,"Roll With Joe",in the Meadowlands Pace. In the North American Cup, if Jody Jamieson aboard,"Up The Credit", had leaned into the 3rd quarter more heavily,"Roll With Joe", might have won it. As for his elimnation, the pace-setters went WAY too slow thruu the middle half. A death/kill to the 1st over,"Roll With Joe". Despite that adverse situation,,"Roll With Joe', still brushed home very well.
I think he's a tough luck horse , who with the right trip, just might be able to pull off the up-set.
Mark Fonti It is really
Mark Fonti
It is really unfortunate that Foreclosure N has drawn post 10. He has looked really good in his last couple of starts. I believe this race is all about Big Jim. If he is on his game that night he is the one to beat. For an upset play I like Betterthancheddar, raced really well last week coming first over. If he gets a helmet to follow, could be there at the end.
Good luck to all the Canadian connections on Saturday night.
That just can't be
That just can't be true.....how do you draw two ten holes in the two biggest races of your life?
Luck is only a part of this
Luck is only a part of this game...You make some of your own luck by winning your eliminations...Big Jim did just that...Made his own luck ..It's all part of the game...Years ago it was a JOKE these elims. all the drivers wanted to do was get to the final ..Now there are rewards for winning..SO. Good Luck to all the connections of Big jim!
Can Foreclosure get any
Can Foreclosure get any worse luck! 10 hole in the NA Cup and Meadowland pace. The little horse with a big heart is really going to have to prove it.
Good luck Big fella