Meadowlands Notebook

MEADOWLANDS NOTEBOOK

NOVEMBER 15, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

The 2005 Meadowlands Fall Meet wasn't the most memorable in the East

Rutherford, New Jersey, track's history, but the meet is now in the books,

concluding with Saturday's program.

"The Big M" was plagued by cancellations this year, the result of an

extremely wet fall and a new track surface that had been laid down just prior to

the start in late September. Many of the fields this fall were relatively small in size, except for basement level maiden

contests, New Jersey-bred races and turf contests. Grass races continued to draw

overflow fields throughout the meet when they weren't washed to the dirt, which

seemed to happen too often. Another factor was that a majority of the entrants

during the meet were stabled at Monmouth Park and there wasn't the usual influx of New York-based

runners shipping into the Meadowlands this yea.

The meet just didn't seem to gain any type of momentum during its six-week run.

This past Thursday, the Katrina Invitational Jockey Challenge at the

Meadowlands took place. The event raised $25,168 to aid Louisiana horsemen.

On Friday, the Montclair State University S. for fillies and mares appeared

to boil down to a speed duel between Fortress Hill (Forest Wildcat) and High

Peaks (Peaks and Valleys), at least on paper, with the winner of the 4early

battle appearing likely to come

away with the overall victory. However, WELCOME HOME (Dixieland Band) had other ideas,

as she sped to the lead shortly after breaking from the gate and never

relinquished the advantage, scoring by a decisive 2 1/4 lengths.

Ridden by Julien Pimentel, the four-year-old filly surprisingly set up shop on

the front end with High Peaks and Fortress Hill in hot pursuit. High Peaks

started giving way around the far turn, but Fortress Hill continued to

resolutely chase the wire-to-wire winner, finishing with good energy to be

second best as the even-money favorite. Smartlee Away (Skip Away), a 31-1

longshot, reported home a non-threatening third, and the 7-5 High Peaks

eventually finished last in the field of seven.

Stakes action on the final Saturday card of the meet featured the Rutgers S.

for three-year-olds and up. The six-furlong contest produced a very formful

result when JOEY P. (Close Up) rebounded from a disastrous journey to New York

to score by 4 1/2 widening lengths. The winner was eased off a scorching early

pace before engaging the leaders upon entering the stretch. He responded

willingly when set down for the drive and won drawing clear. Slam Bammy (Grand

Slam) carved out a quick and pressured pace and held gamely to save second by a

length over Two Down Automatic (Smoke Glacken). The third-place finisher

improved his position late but was never a real factor. Spooky Mulder

(Brunswick), the 7-2 third choice in the wagering, never got untracked and

reported home next-to-last in a very disappointing effort.

Joe Bravo led all riders at the meet, and he was followed by apprentice

Channing Hill in second. Rajiv Maragh, Chuck Lopez and Jose Lezcano completed

the top five.

Jason Servis took down the training title, with Tim Hills finishing second

and Todd Pletcher in the third spot.

Speed runners dominated the results on the main track to begin the week on

Tuesday. That trend became less prominent on Wednesday and Thursday, with the

track playing fairly over the weekend.

The grass course favored off-the-pace runners all week to varying degrees of

intensity.

The inside paths were advantaged early in the week, with the track appearing

more even as the week wore on.

HORSES TO WATCH

Tuesday (11/8)

6TH - FOREVER SMART (Smart Strike) lacked racing room when trapped behind a

wall of horses attempting to rally in the stretch. Leveled off nicely when

finally able to split rivals and then closed fastest of all late.

7TH – OLIVERS SUCCESS (Oliver's Twist) was clearly second best chasing home a

front-running winner who freaked over the speed biased course. Would benefit from

a class drop in subsequent starts.

Wednesday (11/9)

1ST – BIGNOSE (Sweetsouthernsaint) showed an improved effort stretching out

and dropping. Set a very enterprising pace and retreated. Definitely appears to

be at her best sprinting six furlongs.

2ND – ICEBERG EDDIE (El Amante) was a good third off a realistic class drop.

Was taken back to rate at the back of the pack and finished with interest late.

Fits well at his current level and would also benefit from a return to a dry

track.

Thursday (11/10)

4TH – BELICHICK (Formal Gold) was overmatched of late on both turf and dirt

over a route of ground. Appears to be better to suited to sprints and quite

clearly needs some class relief.

Friday (11/11)

5TH – OUR EMM (Our Emblem) finished a sharp second once again for Richard

Dutrow.

Gave futile chase to a five-time winner and again was well clear of the

third-place finisher. Remains eligible to tackle limited winners.

8TH – FORTRESS HILL (Forest Wildcat) held gamely chasing a loose front runner

stepping up. Still qualifies for a NW3X allowance contest and appears to need

the lead.

10TH – FANTAST (Luhuk) showed a creditable effort off the David Geist claim. Raced

widest of three rivals vying for the lead before weakening. Her dangerous

tactical speed fits best in a claiming contest.

Saturday (11/12)

2ND – AVARY TOO STEP (Citidancer) finished a good third off a prolonged

layoff. Dropped back around the far turn and re-rallied in the stretch. Can

obviously move forward and in all likelihood will be seen next at Philly Park at

a longer sprint distance. Rider switch back to Harry Vega would be an added

plus.

6TH – EAGLE RIVER (Twilight Agenda) regressed stalking the pacesetter over a

turf course favoring come-from-behind runners. Assumed command around the far

turn and gave ground grudgingly late off a five-week layoff.

8TH – SPOOKY MULDER (Brunswick) barely lifted a hoof returning to the

Meadowlands. May not care for that surface in a very atypical effort. May be

spotted next at Aqueduct in a high end claiming event.