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.