Grade II winner Meteore was euthanized after fracturing his right ankle in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields April 2.
The 5-year-old son of Pulpit--Meteor Miracle (by Twining), a homebred owned by Wertheimer and Frere and trained by Richard Mandella, went wrong on the first turn of the one-mile turf race with Brice Blanc aboard. Meteore was the 7-5 favorite in the eight-horse field.
Meteore won the La Jolla Handicap (gr. IIT) on the Del Mar turf in August 2009 but was winless in 10 subsequent races prior to his first appearance at Golden Gate Fields. The chestnut horse compiled a 3-1-4 mark in 20 starts and earned $292,576.
Hudson Landing, ridden by Frank Alvarado, won the $39,900 feature in front-running fashion by one length. Posse Power finished second at odds of 56-1.
Eight-year-old Awesome Gem, winner of the 2010 Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I), ran third, 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner in his first race since he was unplaced in the Breeders' Cup Marathon (gr. III) at Churchill Downs Nov. 5.
Hudson Landing, trained by William E. Morey, clocked 1:37.14 over "good" going while improving his record on the Golden Gate turf to 3-for-3. The second choice in the wagering, Hudson Landing paid $6.40.
A 4-year-old gelding by Maria’s Mon--Morning Star, by Shotich, Hudson Landing earned $23,400 and has made $169,744 in 17 career starts. Hudson Landing is owned in partnership by Gene Guelfo, Franklin Lindstrom, and Roger and Cindy Newman. Fred M. Allor bred the chestnut gelding in Kentucky.
