Meadowlands Notebook

MEADOWLANDS NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 12, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The Meadowlands is certainly doing its part to aid the Louisiana horsemen who

have been severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. "The Big M" will sponsor a

jockey challenge on November 10, appropriately named, the Katrina Invitational

Jockey Challenge.

Some of the country's top riders will assemble and compete for this worthy

cause. There will be two teams of jockeys, one comprised of New Jersey- and New

York-based riders who will be pitted against jockeys from Louisiana in a

four-race competition. Also, the Meadowlands will generously donate $10,000 in

addition to sponsoring the event.

Patrons in attendance on that night who contribute to the Katrina fund will

be afforded an opportunity to obtain an autograph from the contest riders

between 7 and 11 p.m. (EST). All jockeys who take part in the contest have

agreed to forfeit their riding fees.

A preliminary list of riders consists of Joe Bravo, Craig Perret, Gary

Stevens, Kent Desormeaux, Aaron Gryder, Mike Smith, Mark Guidry and Stewart

Elliott.

First race post for the Thursday night card remains at 7:30 p.m.

Friday's card featured the New Jersey Futurity events for two-year-old runners

bred in the Garden State. FIRST CLASS GUY (Unbridled Jet) took the

male division by 6 1/2 widening lengths in a very decisive victory. The winner

pressed the pace to the far turn, took command when ready and drew off at will. Fagedaboudit Sal (Yarrow Brae) closed belatedly to take down the place,

finishing a half-length in front of Defrere the Smile (Defrere), who disputed the

pace from the outset and tired slowly in the stretch.

PURE DISCO (Disco Rico) employed front-running tactics in the filly division

to emerge with a 3 1/4 length victory. The winner was never really serious

threatened on the front end and remained clear at the finish under pressure.

Highland Lass (Sailor's Warning) stalked the pace between runners and finished

willing to grab second money over Morgan's Wish (Private Interview), who chased

the pace in the second flight as well before tiring.

RUMOR HAS IT (Awesome Again), who was allowed to dictate an unmolested and

deliberate pace on the lead, used that to his advantage as he wired the field in

Saturday's John Henry S. at 1 3/8 miles on grass. The fact that had he registered but

one win on turf did not let that deter him, making every pole a winning one en route to posting an upset victory. Westmoreland Road (Diesis), making his

initial U.S. start for trainer Michael Dickinson, closed from off the pace to

finish second by a nose over Publisher's Phil (Top Account), who rallied from

off the pace as well and gained the show. Ground Hero (Dynaformer), the 8-5

favorite, chased the slow pace and was finished after six furlongs, dropping

back through the field to finish last in a disappointing effort.

Early speed on the dirt at the Meadowlands has always been dangerous. That

statement was never more true as SCHEDULE (GB) (Brian's Time) posted a front-running score in

Saturday's Honey Bee S. for fillies and mares at 8 1/2 furlongs.

The four-year-old filly was immediately sent to the lead from her rail post and

was never seriously challenged from that point on, rating kindly under new pilot

Eddie King. Trained by Alan Goldberg, the four-year-old maintained a safe advantage in the

stretch, keeping her unblemished record at the Meadowlands intact.

Defrere's

Venture (Defrere) railed for the place, finishing a nose ahead of Ask Queenie

(Key Contender), the Suffolk Downs shipper who trailed the field early, but

improved her position late. Diavla (Bahri), the 2-1 favorite in the wagering,

had dead aim on the winner throughout, but lacked the necessary response when

called upon in the stretch. Fleet Ballado (Saint Ballado) sent off at odds of

7-2, made an early bid down the backstretch, but eventually weakened under

pressure to finish sixth.

PEGASUSBYSTORM (Fusaichi Pegasus) demonstrated that his impressive maiden win

on dirt was not a fluke, winning Saturday's Storm Cat S. by 1 1/4 lengths under jockey

Jose Caraballo. He was eased off the early pace and was content to

relax behind the early pacesetters. Pegasusbystorm reengaged the leaders around

the far turn and proceeded to edge away to a daylight advantage in the

stretch, which she maintained to the finish.

Wilentz (Grand Slam) showed improved

speed switching to a fast track. She chased the winner home and was clearly

second best. Saint Augustus (Saint Ballado), part of the odds-on favored entry

along with Up an Octave (Brahms), regressed badly in his first start against

winners. He set a pressured pace and began to drop back once displaced on the

front end around the far turn. Up On Octave contested the pace from the rail to

the far turn and subsequently gave way to check in fourth.

As we head into the last week of the meet, Bravo leads New York based

apprentice Channing Hill by five wins in the jockey standings. Chuck Lopez and

Jose Lezcano are tied for third on the list.

Jason Servis leaped from fourth place into the top spot in the trainer

standings last week. Tim Hills dropped into second place with Todd Pletcher

falling into a three-way tie for third with Pat Farro and Jim Ryerson.

Early speed runners dominated the results when racing resumed on Tuesday.

That bias became less pronounced as the week wore on, with the main track

appearing basically even on Friday and Saturday.

The grass course favored off the pace runners on Tuesday. That bias became

less severe on Wednesday, with the course appearing to play quite uniformly the

rest of the week.

The inside paths seemed advantaged early in the week, but that bias appeared

to diminish with racing.

HORSES TO WATCH

Tuesday (11/1)

2ND - UNREAL GENERAL (Unreal Zeal) was a good third off the shelf returning

to New Jersey. Held well dictating a lively pace over a turf course favoring

closers. Should be much fitter in his next start and would obviously benefit

from firmer ground.

7TH – MONSTERINMYROOM (Meadow Monster) was compromised by a wide stalking

trip over a speed biased track. Did well to capture the place as the race

finished up well late.

Wednesday (11/2)

2ND – DOUBLE FLING (Unbridled Jet) improved to third off the shelf and

dropping in class. Chased a good pace while racing in the deeper part of the

course and continued on well in the stretch. Fits very well at the $20K maiden

claiming level and has room to move forward in her second start off the layoff.

7TH – BLUE SKIES AHEAD (Sky Classic) continues to hold his form off the claim

and was a sharp second turning back to a sprint. Held well chasing a loose

frontrunner in an extremely quick race. All six career victories have come

around one turn.

Thursday (11/3)

5TH – I'VE GOT TO WIN (Suave Prospect) showed good early speed to chase a

loose front runner dictating a modest pace. Clearly second-best as the race

quickened noticeably late. Fits well at the $16K claiming level.

6TH – HARRY BAILEY (Conquistador Cielo) was hard used arguing a hot pace off

the layoff. Held well until midstretch before tiring. Has a quick turn of early

foot and should have derived beneficial conditioning from this effort.

Friday (11/4)

2ND – CHARMSIL (Silver Charm) was the dominant winner off the shelf. Cruised

on the front end and then drew clear under token encouragement. Appears poised

to tackle winners in her next start.

9TH – WILD GAMS (Forest Wildcat) was caught a bit wide chasing the pace off

the layoff. She failed to respond in the stretch in a race she clearly needed.

Can obviously move forward off this effort, especially at a longer distance.

Saturday (11/5)

3RD – ADJUST (Affirmed) finished a strong second returning to grass. Got

caught behind horses with a loose wire-to-wire winner setting a modest pace.

Finished with good energy when angled out for room in the stretch. Has won dirt,

but lost that victory via a disqualification. Better suited to grass.

8TH – Pegasusbystorm is unbeaten since switched to dirt.

Fine tactical win meeting winners. Homebred continues to move forward.

9TH – SOLAR POWERED (Cape Canaveral) finished a creditable third in debut

effort. Raced wide closing from off the pace. Did well to finish third, exhibiting her lack of seasoning late,

probably derived beneficial

experience and conditioning from this effort.