Meadowlands Drops Three Graded Stakes

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Meadowlands has eliminated three of the five graded stakes scheduled for its upcoming meet to help accommodate overnight purses.

The $150,000 Cliff Hanger Handicap (gr. IIIT), $100,000 Boiling Springs (gr. III) for 3-year-old fillies, and the $300,000 Pegasus Handicap (gr. III) for 3-year-olds will not be contested this year. Only two graded stakes will be run during the meet -- the $400,000 Meadowlands Cup Handicap (gr. II) and $150,000 Violet Handicap (gr. III) for fillies and mares.

Total daily purses for the Meadowlands meet, which runs from Oct. 2 through Nov. 8, is still being negotiated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. It is hoped the elimination of the three stakes can put the average daily purse distribution at $200,000.

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