A 2008 O'Brien Award winner made its '09 charted debut, and a handful of Pepsi North America Cup eligibles were in action today during qualifiers south of the border
.
With Brian Sears in the race bike for trainer Noel Daley, Canada's '08 Pacing Mare of the Year My Little Dragon made her '09 charted debut, leaving from the rail and posting an off-the-pace win in 1:55. The mile came in the fifth race at the Meadowlands, which hosted a 14-race qualifying slate this morning. The six-year-old Dragon Again mare, a career winner of over $2.3 million, came home with :26.4 final-quarter speed.
NA Cup eligible Red River Hanover colt Drop Red put in his second qualifier of the year at the Meadowlands in Race 1, converting a pocket ride for driver George Brennan and trainer Robert Horowitz. The colt paced away for a three and a half-length victory in a sharp 1:52.4. Drop Red capped off the mile with :26.4 final-quarter speed.
In Drop Red's victorious mile, fellow 'Cup' eligibles Going Native and Western Posse finished fifth and seventh, respectively.