MEADOWLANDS
NOTEBOOK
October 27
by Gary Granade
In the final graded stakes of the meet, CHANGING WORLD (Spinning
World) took charge at the break and was never headed in winning
the $200,000 Violet H. (G3) on Friday night by 1 1/4 lengths over
High Court (Brz) (Blush Rambler).
Changing World carved out fractions of :24.63, :48.40 and 1:11.65
before coming home in 1:41.53 for the mile and a sixteenth over a
turf course rated “good.” The 4-year-old filly, by a
Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner, returned $28.80 and topped a $188
exacta. Odds-on favorite Ocean Drive (Belong to Me) did not fire
her best shot and finished a head back of High Court in third.
“They told me if she broke on top to just let her run and
that’s what she did,” winning jockey Pablo Fragoso. “She
was galloping along nicely and looking around. Every time I asked
her she just let it out a little more. Turning for home I really
asked her and she responded.”
The winner took advantage of a turf course that was much
kinder to speed than usual, while High Court was compromised by
having to close from far back into moderate fractions.
Hall of Fame trainer P.G. Johnson was no stranger to the
Meadowlands. He holds the distinction of sending out more stakes
winners than any other conditioner in track history, 19 of them
to be exact. On Saturday night, the Big M honored the late
trainer with the P.G. Johnson S. for three-year-old fillies going
five furlongs on turf.
An oversubscribed field of 17 was originally entered the
Johnson, which caused it to be split into two divisions.
MS. TRICK OR TREAT (Favorite Trick) took control at the break
and held off all challengers to capture the first division by
three-quarters of a length over Very Vegas (Storm Boot).
Trained by Kate DeMasi, Ms. Trick or Treat covered five
furlongs over firm turf in :56.58 and gave back $9.20 on the win
end. Very Vegas, the lukewarm 5-2 favorite, completed a $35.40
exacta. Dattsdawayilikeit (Forestry) finished another two and a
half lengths back in third.
“She broke really well and she was gone,” Stewart
Elliott said of the winner. “The nine horse (Datttsdawayilikeit)
had me a little worried. She was pressing us, but we just cruised
around there and opened up in the stretch. She did what she had
to do.”
The second division of the Johnson was a romp for AMBITION
UNBRIDLED (Unbridled’s Song). She opened a daylight lead almost
immediately and was never threatened on her way to a 4 1/4-length
win.
The winner was ridden by Aaron Gryder and trained by Joe
Shuman for the Michael Gill outfit. She covered the distance in :56.63,
only slightly slower than the first division, and paid $3.80 as
the 4-5 choice.
Sheer Numbers (Numerous) got the place by a nose over Humor Me
Molly (Distorted Humor) and completed a $57.20 exacta.
The $60,000 Holly S. was also run Saturday for two-year-old
fillies going six furlongs.
Steve Asmussen’s MORE MOONLIGHT (More Than Ready) was coming
off a nearly 10-length maiden win over the track and proved a
handy winner of the Holly.
She moved into contention three-deep on the turn, hit the
front at the top of the lane and steadily pulled clear for a
three-length win.
Ruby Be Mine (Rubiano) nosed out Galactic Cat (Forest Wildcat)
for the place. Galactic Cat, fanning extremely wide on the
stretch turn, would have finished a clear second with a better
trip.
With Elliott aboard, More Moonlight paid $3.80 as another
winning 4-5 favorite, topping a $39.40 exacta.
The main track was biased in favor of speed on Saturday night
but played fair the rest of the week. The turf course, used only
on Friday and Saturday, played fair.
A veteran of the riding business for over a quarter of a
century, jockey Chuck C. Lopez knows the ups and downs of the
business as good as anyone. Right now it’s a down time for the 44-year-old
rider as he recuperates from rotator cuff surgery on his right
shoulder, operated on October 12. Lopez is expected to miss at
least another three months before returning to the saddle.
While Lopez has been out of racing action since September 11,
when he was unseated by Quoit Alarming (Waquoit) going down the
backstretch at Monmouth, he’s certainly been in touch with his
colleagues.
“It was really cool when Elvis Trujillo called and asked
me how to ride Sun Stroke (Stormin Fever) – to find out what kind
of horse he was,” Lopez said. “It makes you feel good
to know you’re not forgotten, that people care.”
The jockey’s race has gotten much tighter. Joe Bravo continues
to lead with 18 winners, but his lead is now only one over
Elliott. Leading apprentice Rajiv Maragh is next with 16, one
more than Eibar Coa.
In the trainer’s race, Patricia Farro is now the clear leader
with eight victories. There is a four-way tie for second between
Todd Pletcher, Steve Klesaris, Alan Seewald and Edward Allard,
each having visited the winner’s circle five times. Farro is
looking to become the first female to win a Meadowlands training
title
HORSES TO WATCH
Tuesday (10/19)
5TH – NASTY WILDCAT (Forest Wildcat) was making his debut for
Perkins on a sloppy track. He lost contact with the field after
being bumped after the start and was still last at the furlong
pole. The chestnut colt then mounted a late rally and got up for
third. Bred for two turns.
Wednesday (10/20)
4TH – ONYX STAR (Belong To Me) was hammered at the windows for
her debut. She broke slowly but was able to close for third.
Definitely wants a route of ground.
6TH – NEWLYMINTEDPENNY (Banker’s Gold) was trying a route for
the first time in only her second lifetime start. She got the
lead late but hung in the final 100 yards. Sitting on a win for
Klesaris
Thursday (10/21)
5TH – KELL (Safely’s Mark) stumbled badly at the start, rushed
up to contest a fast pace and was only beaten a head and a neck.
Beats a similar field with a clean trip.
Friday (10/22)
8TH – High Court was rated about 10 lengths off a very slow
half-mile but was still able to close for second. She edged out
the classy Ocean Drive in a sneaky good effort.
Saturday (10/23)
3RD – EMERALD EARRINGS (Helmsman) had been running in turfers
and routes, but is much stronger sprinting on the main track. She
won easily in a race that was blazing fast all the way and looks
like a future stakes winner for Bruce Alexander.
9TH – Ambition Unbridled is a different filly on the lawn and
is now two for two on the surface. Very impressive and can win
again if not too ambitiously placed.