MEADOWLANDS
NOTEBOOK
November 17
by Gary Granade
The Meadowlands ended its 2004 Thoroughbred meet Saturday
night with increases in on track and combined handle while
experiencing a slight decline in attendance.
This was the first season of a four-year, $86 million deal
struck with New Jersey’s casino industry that boosted purses to $300,000
a day. It also enabled The Meadowlands to bring back three graded
stakes that were dropped in last year’s budget crunch.
Stewart Elliott, who rode Smarty Jones to victory in the
Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1), returned to New Jersey
this year and won his first Meadowlands riding title with 37
victories. Joe Bravo and apprentice Rajiv Maragh tied for second
with 28.
Patricia Farro became the first woman to win a Meadowlands
training title, sending out 11 winners.
TAP DAY (Pleasant Tap) took Friday night’s Princeton S. for
three-year-olds by a nose, running his record to a perfect on
three-for-three on off tracks.
Trained by Mark Hennig, Tap Day covered the mile and a
sixteenth over a sloppy track in 1:44.32 and paid $5 as the 3-2
favorite. Separto (Victory Gallop) completed a chalky $16.60
exacta. It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to the third finisher,
Sonny and Rose (Belong to Me).
Jockey Jeremy Rose was on the best horse but moved Separato
too soon. They covered the third quarter in :22 and still fought
gamely to the wire.
“I had to start riding him at the half-mile pole and I
didn’t stop,” winning jockey Jose Velez Jr. said. “The
other horse (Separato) was starting to come back on me on the
inside but at the wire I thought I held on.”
PAISLEY PARK (Notebook) swung four wide for the drive before
posting a nose victory over Twist and Pop (Oliver’s Twist) in the
$60,000 College of New Jersey S. at the Meadowlands on Saturday’s
closing night.
Paisley Park was avenging a defeat by Twist And Pop in the
Lighthouse S., a race in which Paisley Park suffered a troubled
trip.
Trained by Joe Pierce Jr., Paisley Park covered the mile and
70 yards in 1:40.48 and paid a very generous $18 to win. Twist
and Pop, the 3-2 public choice, completed a $48.40 exacta.
Totally Precious (Northern Idol) finished a distant third.
“I just moved her to the outside for the stretch drive,”
winning jockey Chris DeCarlo said. “I knew that other horse
(Twist and Pop) was game on the inside, but when we hit the wire
I knew I had it.”
COLOGNY (Go For Gin) romped by 7 1/2 lengths in Saturday’s $60,000
Montclair State University S. at six furlongs, returning $4.80 as
the favorite. She is trained by Scott Lake and was ridden by
Aaron Gryder.
The main track strongly favored inside speed in both sprints
and routes. There was no turf racing.
HORSES TO WATCH
Tuesday (11/9)
5TH – EVENING PALS (Evening Kris) rallied from far back for
the place against a strong inside speed bias. Look for him to
stretch out next time for Jim Ryerson.
Wednesday (11/10)
1ST – FUSIONISTA (Deputy Commander) appeared well placed but
was unable to overcome the bias and could do no better than
second. She can beat a field like this on a fair track.
Thursday (11/11)
4TH – CINQUANTE CINQ (Pulpit) closed strongly and nearly
caught the winner who was loose on an easy lead. This was his
first start for a claiming tag.
7TH – POP THE QUESTION (Coronado’s Quest) won easily in a fast
race that featured a :22.3 “turn time” quarter. Headed
for stakes competition.
Friday (11/12)
3RD – SENECA BUNNY (Seneca Jones) appeared to be tailing off
but bounced back with a sharp win. Looked very good earlier in
the year and may approach that form again.
9TH – Separato made an eye catching middle move, covering the
third quarter in a blazing :22, but hung in well through the late
stages. He would have been the winner with a better-timed ride.
Saturday (11/13)
12TH – HELLO JERRY (Malibu Moon) lost ground on the turn and
still finished a good second in his debut. This barn doesn’t win
too often first time out so look for improvement next time.