EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -Arson Squad rallied to win the $350,000 Meadowlands Cup on Friday night, beating Anak Nakal by 2 1/2 lengths.
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. won the Cup for a second straight year. The trainer of Horse of the Year contender Big Brown won the race last season with Diamond Stripes.
Arson Squad made his debut for Dutrow after coming east from California. The 5-year-old gelding won for the sixth time in 19 starts, ending a seven-race losing streak dating to the Strub Stakes at Santa Anita in February 2007.
``He's just been training awesome since he got here,'' Dutrow said. ``This worked out great.''
Edgar Prado, aboard Arson Squad for the first time, let the horse settle in sixth in the early stages before asking for run midway on the turn.
``Going around the final turn, I knew we had a good chance to win,'' Prado said. ``He responded really nice.''
Arson Squad was aided by an early speed duel between the betting favorites, Past the Point, the 8-5 choice, and Timber Reserve, at 2-1. They ran the opening half-mile in a quick 45.91 seconds, setting the stage for Arson Squad's closing kick.
Arson Squad covered the 1 1-8 miles on the fast track in 1:48.81, earning $210,000 for the Jay Em Ess Stable. He paid $10.80, $4.80 and $4. Anak Nakal returned $6.20 and $3.60. Timber Reserve paid $3.20 to show.
Actin Good was fourth, followed by Past the Point, P V Lightening and True Resurgence.
