Meadowlands Notebook

MEADOWLANDS NOTEBOOK

OCTOBER 5, 2005

by Bernard T. Moore

A brand new racing surface was unveiled Friday night when the Meadowlands

opened its doors to Thoroughbred racing once again. In addition, turf racing

resumed at "The Big M," as grass events at the recently concluded Monmouth Park

meet were halted after the Labor Day holiday to prepare for the installation of

a new turf course.

Racing will be conducted on a five-day-a-week basis for the time being,

Tuesday through Saturday, with an 1:10 p.m. (EDT) post on Tuesdays, and a 7:30

p.m. start time the rest of the week. Closing day at the East Rutherford, New

Jersey oval is Saturday, November 12.

The Meadowlands presented four stakes contests Friday night to get the meet

off to a flying start, with the Pegasus H. (G3) for three-year-olds at nine

furlongs garnering the most attention. MAGNA GRADUATE (Honor Grades), who has

been successful at avoiding the leaders in the sophomore division for most of

the year, but unsuccessful at finding the winner's circle, finally remedied that

situation with a popular 1 1/4-length score as the 2-1 favorite. A forward

factor from the outset, Magna Graduate stalked the early pace along the inside

racing down the backstretch. He was angled off the inside by jockey John

Velazquez in the stretch, and subsequently gained the lead. He was able to

repulse a strong bid from Crown Point (Honor Grades) in deep stretch and then

edged away to his final margin of victory. The runner-up was a sharp second in

his dirt debut and, as a result of this strong effort, provided his

connections with unforeseen options in the future. Network (Pulpit) finished

evenly for third, a half-length ahead of Andromeda's Hero (Fusaichi Pegasus),

who was fourth in a non-descript effort.

The Navajo Princess S. for fillies and mares on turf at 1 1/16 miles was run

in split divisions, with BRUNILDA (Arg) (Mutakddim) taking the first division

for trainer Stanley Hough and jockey Eibar Coa.

In the second division, the Brazilian-bred MOVIE STAR (Royal Academy)

made her U.S. debut a triumphant one with a determined victory for new trainer

Bobby Frankel. This feat was accomplished off an extended layoff as Movie Star

was making her initial start beyond a mile as well. The final time of the race

was more than a full second faster than the first division, hinting that this

Group 1 winner in Brazil has adapted nicely to her new surroundings and might

just be another budding turf star for Frankel.

With four program scratches, the Eillo S. was reduced to a three-horse

affair. TWO DOWN AUTOMATIC (Smoke Glacken), benefiting from an intense speed

duel on the front end, was able to register his first victory since January for

trainer Steve Asmussen. The Student (Arg) (Mutakddim) won the pace battle but

lost the war to finish second, 1 1/4 lengths ahead of pace nemesis Abbondanza

(Alphabet Soup).

On Saturday night in the Somerset Medical Center Steeplechase Race For Cancer

Awareness S. (NSA-G2), PREEMPTIVE STRIKE (Roanoke) stole away to a huge early lead

and was able to hold off champion McDynamo (Dynaformer) to win by five lengths. The

runner-up gave futile chase to the winner throughout, but lacked necessary

response in the stretch when called upon to be clearly second best. Three Carat

(Storm Broker) took down the show.

Later on the card in the Salem County S. juvenile fillies, ART SHOW (Out of

Place) employed front-running tactics as well to register her first stakes

success. The winner was nicely handled on the front end by jockey Joe Rocco Jr.,

and had more than enough gas left in the tank to stave off a late bid from the

maiden Dressed to Kill (Formal Gold), who finished well with the addition of

blinkers. Perilous Pursuit (Lemon Drop Kid) lacked room at a strategic point in

the race, but still managed to close with a purpose to take down the show.

Chuck Lopez has taken an early lead in the jockey standings, with six riders

locked in a dead-heat for second place with two victories each.

Todd Pletcher came out firing on the opening weekend of racing and leads all

trainers. Fellow New York based conditioner George Weaver trails Pletcher by a

single victory. A slew of trainers have one win to their credit in

the early days of the meet.

Speed did very well in sprints on Friday and Saturday, with runners who

stalked the pace faring best in routes on Friday.

The turf course played favorably to stalkers and closers both nights.

The inside paths may have been a bit better on Friday.

HORSES TO WATCH

Friday (9/30)

1ST – DATSYUK (Stephen Got Even) needed a useful sprint sharpener returning

from a long layoff. Broke awkwardly and dropped back subsequent to improving his

position on the turn and into the stretch. Finished with interest late. Best

efforts have come in middle-distance events.

9TH – SNOWDROPS (GB) (Gulch) made a huge turnaround in her second start off

the shelf and switching to the Meadowlands. Exhibited much improved speed to

stalk a lively pace and held well in a race that finished up strongly while

forced to spot weight to all. Has the ability to deliver good efforts

back-to-back.

Saturday (10/1)

2ND – SUBTLE SARATOGA (Saratoga Six) was clearly second-best switching to the

Meadowlands. Gave futile chase to a wire-to-wire winner over a speed biased

course in a race that quickened late. Fits well at the $5,000 level.

8TH – PERILOUS PURSUIT (Lemon Drop Kind) was a creditable third meeting

winners and stretching out to a distance of ground for the first time. Her late

rally was hindered by an ordinary pace and a lack of racing room when attempting

to rally. Needs only a livelier pace scenario and clear sailing to land back in

the winner's circle.