MEADOWLANDS NOTEBOOK
OCTOBER 5, 2005
by Bernard T. Moore
A brand new racing surface was unveiled Friday night when the Meadowlands
opened its doors to Thoroughbred racing once again. In addition, turf racing
resumed at “The Big M,” as grass events at the recently concluded Monmouth Park
meet were halted after the Labor Day holiday to prepare for the installation of
a new turf course.
Racing will be conducted on a five-day-a-week basis for the time being,
Tuesday through Saturday, with an 1:10 p.m. (EDT) post on Tuesdays, and a 7:30
p.m. start time the rest of the week. Closing day at the East Rutherford, New
Jersey oval is Saturday, November 12.
The Meadowlands presented four stakes contests Friday night to get the meet
off to a flying start, with the Pegasus H. (G3) for three-year-olds at nine
furlongs garnering the most attention. MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), who has
been successful at avoiding the leaders in the sophomore division for most of
the year, but unsuccessful at finding the winner’s circle, finally remedied that
situation with a popular 1 1/4-length score as the 2-1 favorite. A forward
factor from the outset, Magna Graduate stalked the early pace along the inside
racing down the backstretch. He was angled off the inside by jockey John
Velazquez in the stretch, and subsequently gained the lead. He was able to
repulse a strong bid from Crown Point (Honor Grades) in deep stretch and then
edged away to his final margin of victory. The runner-up was a sharp second in
his dirt debut and, as a result of this strong effort, provided his
connections with unforeseen options in the future. Network (Pulpit) finished
evenly for third, a half-length ahead of Andromeda’s Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus),
who was fourth in a non-descript effort.
The Navajo Princess S. for fillies and mares on turf at 1 1/16 miles was run
in split divisions, with BRUNILDA (Arg) (Mutakddim) taking the first division
for trainer Stanley Hough and jockey Eibar Coa.
In the second division, the Brazilian-bred MOVIE STAR (Royal Academy)
made her U.S. debut a triumphant one with a determined victory for new trainer
Bobby Frankel. This feat was accomplished off an extended layoff as Movie Star
was making her initial start beyond a mile as well. The final time of the race
was more than a full second faster than the first division, hinting that this
Group 1 winner in Brazil has adapted nicely to her new surroundings and might
just be another budding turf star for Frankel.
With four program scratches, the Eillo S. was reduced to a three-horse
affair. TWO DOWN AUTOMATIC (Smoke Glacken), benefiting from an intense speed
duel on the front end, was able to register his first victory since January for
trainer Steve Asmussen. The Student (Arg) (Mutakddim) won the pace battle but
lost the war to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of pace nemesis Abbondanza
(Alphabet Soup).
On Saturday night in the Somerset Medical Center Steeplechase Race For Cancer
Awareness S. (NSA-G2), PREEMPTIVE STRIKE (Roanoke) stole away to a huge early lead
and was able to hold off champion McDynamo (Dynaformer) to win by five lengths. The
runner-up gave futile chase to the winner throughout, but lacked necessary
response in the stretch when called upon to be clearly second best. Three Carat
(Storm Broker) took down the show.
Later on the card in the Salem County S. juvenile fillies, ART SHOW (Out of
Place) employed front-running tactics as well to register her first stakes
success. The winner was nicely handled on the front end by jockey Joe Rocco Jr.,
and had more than enough gas left in the tank to stave off a late bid from the
maiden Dressed to Kill (Formal Gold), who finished well with the addition of
blinkers. Perilous Pursuit (Lemon Drop Kid) lacked room at a strategic point in
the race, but still managed to close with a purpose to take down the show.
Chuck Lopez has taken an early lead in the jockey standings, with six riders
locked in a dead-heat for second place with two victories each.
Todd Pletcher came out firing on the opening weekend of racing and leads all
trainers. Fellow New York based conditioner George Weaver trails Pletcher by a
single victory. A slew of trainers have one win to their credit in
the early days of the meet.
Speed did very well in sprints on Friday and Saturday, with runners who
stalked the pace faring best in routes on Friday.
The turf course played favorably to stalkers and closers both nights.
The inside paths may have been a bit better on Friday.
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (9/30)
1ST – DATSYUK (Stephen Got Even) needed a useful sprint sharpener returning
from a long layoff. Broke awkwardly and dropped back subsequent to improving his
position on the turn and into the stretch. Finished with interest late. Best
efforts have come in middle-distance events.
9TH – SNOWDROPS (GB) (Gulch) made a huge turnaround in her second start off
the shelf and switching to the Meadowlands. Exhibited much improved speed to
stalk a lively pace and held well in a race that finished up strongly while
forced to spot weight to all. Has the ability to deliver good efforts
back-to-back.
Saturday (10/1)
2ND – SUBTLE SARATOGA (Saratoga Six) was clearly second-best switching to the
Meadowlands. Gave futile chase to a wire-to-wire winner over a speed biased
course in a race that quickened late. Fits well at the $5,000 level.
8TH – PERILOUS PURSUIT (Lemon Drop Kind) was a creditable third meeting
winners and stretching out to a distance of ground for the first time. Her late
rally was hindered by an ordinary pace and a lack of racing room when attempting
to rally. Needs only a livelier pace scenario and clear sailing to land back in
the winner’s circle.