Saint Verre commanded the early lead and withstood all challenges to take the 26th running of the $150,000 Cliff Hanger Handicap (gr. III) on Friday night at the Meadowlands. Saint Verre locked up with Tempest Fugit early, putting that one away by the half-mile marker, then held off the challenge of Pinky Pizwaanski in the stretch for a length victory. Ridden by Jean-Luc Samyn and trained by Allen Jerkens, Saint Verre covered the 1 1/16-mile event in 1:42 2/5 over a sloppy main track and paid $4.00 and $3.00. The exacta with Pinky Pizwaanski returned $16.00. Spruce Run was a distanced third.There was no show wagering in the Cliff Hanger, which was reduced to four runners after being transferred to the main track due to heavy rain."He was strong the whole way," Samyn said. "He just kept going and I never thought the other horse would get to me. We obviously benefited when the race came off the grass."Saint Verre, a 4-year-old Florida-bred son of Saint Ballado, improved his record to five wins in 17 starts and boosted his bankroll to $256,800 for owner Joseph Allen.
(Chart, Equibase)