Wednesday, October 01, 2008

ZITO ENTRY TOPS MEADOWLANDS CUP FIELD

The Nick Zito-trained duo of Da'Tara and Anak Nakal heads the field for the $350,000 Grade II Meadowlands Cup on Friday night.

Da'Tara will break from post one with Alan Garcia aboard in the track's signature thoroughbred stakes. In the upset heard 'round the world, Da'Tara romped gate-to-wire in the 2008 Belmont, as Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown pulled up in the stretch. In his next start, Da'Tara succumbed to an early speed duel and finished last in the Jim Dandy at Saratoga. The 3-year-old son of Tiznow was a game fifth in the Travers on Aug. 23 after being pressured on the lead.

Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal got up in the final strides to win the Pennsylvania Derby, his second Grade II victory, on Sept. 1. He capped his two-year-old campaign with a victory in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes last November at Churchill. Lifetime, the Victory Gallop colt has won three of 10 starts. Anak Nakal will break from post four with Joe Bravo in the irons on Friday night.


The Meadowlands Cup field also includes Actin Good, the 2007 Pegasus champion, and Past The Point, runner-up to Curlin in the Woodward. The Meadowlands Cup is carded as race eight with an estimated 10:22 p.m. post time. The Friday night undercard features the $65,000 Eillo Stakes (race six) and $60,000 Princeton Stakes (race seven).

As part of the Meadowlands Cup Night festivities, the three jockeys who dueled in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Classic - Pat Day, Angel Cordero, Jr. and Laffit Pincay, Jr. - will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs on the Paddock Level. The night also marks the first week of the Meadowlands' Gas Card Giveaway. Every Friday through Nov. 14, 20 winners will receive a $100 gas gift card. The 140 weekly winners will be entered into a grand prize drawing on Nov. 14 for $5,000, $3,000 and $1,000 gas cards. Drawing entry blanks are available in the racing program, regional newspapers and Guest Service locations.

The field for the 2008 Meadowlands Cup:



8th RACE

Post 10:22PM

$350,000 THE MEADOWLANDS CUP (Grade II)

3 & UP, 1 1/8 MILES

1 Da' Tara, Nick Zito, Alan Garcia, 123
2 Timber Reserve, John Kimmel, Kent Desormeaux, 119
3 P V Lightening, Gary Capuano, Travis Dunkelberger, 119
4 Anak Nakal, Nick Zito, Joe Bravo, 123
5 Past The Point, Eoin Harty, John Velazquez, 119
6 Actin Good, Bobby Dibona, Cornelio Velasquez, 123
7 True Resurgence, John Terranova II, Jeffrey Sanchez, 119
8 Arson Squad, Richard Dutrow, Jr., Edgar Prado, 119

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