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.