(edited release)
The Nick Zito-trained duo of Da'Tara and Anak Nakal heads the field for the $350,000 grade II Meadowlands Cup Oct. 3 at Meadowlands.
Da'Tara, who won the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) in which Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown pulled up, will break from post one with Alan Garcia aboard. In his next start, Da'Tara, owned by Robert LaPenta, succumbed to an early speed duel and finished last in the Jim Dandy (gr. II) at Saratoga. The 3-year-old son of Tiznow was fifth in the Travers Stakes (gr. I) Aug. 23.
Four Roses Thoroughbreds' Anak Nakal got up in the final strides to win the Pennsylvania Derby, his second grade II victory, Sept. 1. 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 is carded as race eight with an estimated 10:22 p.m. post time. The 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 (gr. I) - Pat Day, Angel Cordero Jr., and Laffit Pincay Jr. - will be on hand to greet fans and sign autographs on the paddock level.
The field for the 2008 Meadowlands Cup:
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
